The Nigerian government is set to open its doors for more collaboration and establishment of foreign Universities in the country, especially from the UK, under the Transnational Education Programme (TNE) with the launch of the implementation guidelines early next month.
The Acting Executive Director of the Nigeria University Commission (NUC), Mr. Chris Maiyaki stated this at a Workshop Organized by the British Council with the theme: “Examining International Best Practices and Case Studies of TNE Implementation in the Nigerian University System”, which held in Abuja, Nigeria.
He said after the launching of the guidelines under which auspices foreign universities are now at Liberty to come and contribute to expanding access to university education in Nigeria, an avalanche of applications is expected especially from the UK because Nigeria is a destination for foreign universities with its population and position in Africa.
“Nigerians could be found all over the world pursuing quality stable University education.
“We think that with the constraints of foreign exchange and distance and cultural barriers among several other factors, it is high time these universities now come to Nigeria so that they can partner with our institutions that can derive maximum benefit from operating within the shores of Nigeria. The guidelines will be launched early next month,” he said.
According to him, the innovation would be continually regulated by the Nigeria University Commission to ensure that quality content is received in the country and in accordance with international best practices
“The programmes that are going to run must be seen to be operating at full strength consistent with the best practices that are comparable to the ones to be obtained in their home countries,” he said.
Professor Muyiwa Oyinlola of De Montfort University, Leicester UK, while speaking on introduction to TNE at the Workshop said the development is a game changer and a win-win situation for Nigeria as it provides an opportunity for Nigerians to get quality foreign University education and certificates while studying in Nigeria at a lesser cost.
“It will be cheaper for those who would want to travel out of the country to the UK and other countries for studies, as a lot of living expenses such as transport and accommodation among others would be eliminated and retained in the country’s economic system.
“In Ghana for instance, it costs only $9,000 for a UK Leicester University education, while in the UK it costs $29,000. So, it costs just 1/3 to get the same UK education in Ghana, which is very cheap. The same applies to Nigeria.
“It would reduce also brain drain as graduates have the tendency to stay back in the country after graduation” he said.
The Vice Chancellor of Azman University, Kano State north western Nigeria, Professor Fatimah Mukhtar said the TNE initiative in Nigeria is handy, as her own University is commencing courses in Aviation studies and Artificial intelligence with few of the lectures in Nigeria.
She said Azman University will embrace the TNE innovation for both online and physical teaching of their students by highly experienced lecturers from foreign countries in the new courses.
“I know that this is going to be highly beneficial for the programmes that we have,” she said.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya at the occasion also expressed happiness in the development, saying “it is a good thing that the intention of many years is now coming to fruition.”
Director of Programmes British Council, Chikodi Onyemerala said the Workshop is aimed at knowing how Nigeria University system can work with the UK University system to strengthen quality, strengthen pedagogy, strengthen research collaboration for the ultimate objective of improved student outcome and general outcome from the University system.
Other issues discussed include the use of technology in TNE, partnership, policy review and challenges and solutions.
The TNE programme according to analysts is indeed a new vista for quality education in Nigeria.
