Education: Nigeria restates commitment to global partnerships

Jack Acheme, Abuja

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, has reiterated the nation’s commitment to global academic partnerships as he explores collaborations with Qatar to help improve the education sector.

Speaking at the Qatar-Nigeria Educational Partnership Forum in Doha, the Minister identified three key areas for potential collaboration between Nigerian and Qatari institutions.

These include research partnerships to facilitate collaboration among researchers, student exchange programs enabling students to study in Qatar, and sabbatical opportunities for Nigerian scholars to undertake research in Qatar.

”This partnership aims to promote academic excellence and cultural exchange between the two nations.

“This focus aligns with Nigeria’s broader vision of internationalizing its education system, a key outcome of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to Qatar.”

He said the forum emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships between higher education institutions in both countries, stressing that Nigerian scholars undertaking cutting-edge studies may have theopportunitys to share knowledge, expertise, and collaborations with top Qatar universities.

Prof Mamman said the forum also addresses Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis, explaining that Qatar’s education, above all initiative, partners with the Kaduna State Government to return 100,000 children to the classroom, focusing on girls and children with disabilities.

“This pilot project is expected to expand to other regions, ensuring greater access to quality education for underserved children.”
Prof. Mamman commended Qatar’s commitment and stressed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen collaboration.

“This partnership will address immediate educational needs and position our universities and scholars globally,” he said

The Minister thanked the Qatari government, EAA Foundation, and partners for their support adding that the collaboration expects to create lasting impacts, improve access to basic education and enhancing Nigerian higher education institutions’ international standing.