The British Council has played a pivotal role in shaping education in Nigeria, fostering collaborations that enhance learning and skill development. This commitment was reinforced at the Going Global Africa Conference 2024, held in Abuja, where education leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders gathered to discuss the future of tertiary education in Africa.
The conference, themed “Building Sustainable and Relevant Tertiary Education Institutions and Systems in Africa,” underscored the urgent need for reform in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
The discussions focused on bridging the gap between university education and the evolving demands of the job market, a challenge that has long plagued the country’s workforce development.
Discussions throughout the three-day conference covered a range of issues, including the importance of sustainable partnerships between universities and industries, strategies for improving career readiness among graduates, the need for disability inclusion in tertiary education, and the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital learning platforms in enhancing education quality and accessibility.
The dialogue also addressed how universities can modernize their curricula to better meet industry demands, the role of policies and incentives in encouraging employer engagement in education, and how tertiary institutions can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas related to quality education and decent work.
During the opening plenary, Olatunji Alausa, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, highlighted a policy shift aimed at prioritizing domestic education over foreign training.
He emphasized the government’s resolve to invest in local institutions, stating, “The resources spent on training one scholar abroad could train twenty here. We will now invest heavily in simulation laboratories and improving our universities.”
This policy direction aligns with the British Council’s ongoing efforts to support capacity-building within Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
The British Council’s Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Lucy Pearson, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to fostering sustainable educational partnerships.
She noted that the Council’s presence in Nigeria over the past 80 years has significantly contributed to strengthening the education sector, from facilitating international collaborations to implementing capacity-building initiatives.
“Hosting this conference in Sub-Saharan Africa underscores our commitment to innovation and partnership in education,” she said.
One of the key sessions, “Maximising Impact through Tertiary Education Partnerships,” led by UK International Education Champion Sir Steve Smith, delved into frameworks for establishing sustainable academic collaborations. Discussions revolved around how institutions can work together to develop curricula that reflect the realities of the labor market while maintaining global educational standards.
Another pivotal session, “Transitioning to the World of Work,” led by Femi Taiwo, Founding Partner of F.I.T. Africa, explored practical approaches to ensuring graduates are workforce-ready. The session examined innovative strategies that integrate employability skills into the university curriculum, reducing the training burden on employers.
The conference also addressed inclusion and accessibility in education. In a session on “Disability Inclusion in Tertiary Education,” experts and advocates discussed barriers to higher education for persons with disabilities and the need for institutional policies that promote equal learning opportunities.
As the conference concluded, Chilufya Besa, Acting Country Director for the British Council in Nigeria, emphasized that the goal was not just dialogue but actionable outcomes.
“By bringing together key stakeholders, we have taken important steps toward aligning education with workforce needs and ensuring a sustainable future for tertiary education in Africa.”
The event featured contributions from various experts, including Samia Chasi from the International Education Association of South Africa, Richard Montgomery, UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Colin Riordan of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, and Nadia Waggie from the University of Cape Town. Their insights reinforced the need for collaboration between governments, universities, and industry players in ensuring that African graduates are well-prepared for the evolving job market.
For decades, the British Council has played an instrumental role in advancing education in Nigeria through scholarship programs, professional development initiatives, and institutional collaborations. The insights from the Going Global Africa Conference reaffirm its commitment to building a more inclusive, skill-driven, and globally competitive education system in Nigeria.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
