The British Council has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering sustainable partnerships and innovations in education, as regional director of Sub-Saharan Africa, Lucy Pearson, made a compelling statement at the Going Global Africa Conference in Abuja.
The conference, with the theme “Building Sustainable and Relevant Tertiary Education Institutions and Systems in Africa”, gathered policymakers, academics, and youth advocates to discuss pressing issues in tertiary education across the continent.
According to Pearson, the event was a crucial platform for aligning educational strategies with emerging needs.
“In Nigeria, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, unveiled the Nigerian Educational Sector Renewal initiative, a six-pillar agenda aimed at modernizing the country’s education system,” Pearson shared. The initiative promises to bring sweeping reforms in the nation’s education infrastructure.
The conference highlighted focused sessions and panels, including those dedicated to technology integration, employability, and international research partnerships. Pearson emphasized the critical discussions on improving access to education for marginalized groups, such as women and persons with disabilities.
A notable session on “Disability Inclusion in Tertiary Education” addressed the importance of inclusive educational practices across Africa. “By bringing together industry stakeholders, we have made significant progress in aligning education with workforce needs,” Pearson quoted Chilufya Besa, the British Council’s acting country director.
Besa further reiterated the importance of the conference, saying, “Going Global, established in 2004, continues to be a strategic platform for shaping the future of global education through collaboration and innovation.”
With a shared commitment to bridging skills gaps, the conference marked a renewed drive to reshape tertiary education in Africa and foster partnerships that will have lasting impacts on the region’s future.
