The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, has announced a strategic partnership with the British Council to strengthen transnational education, TNE, in Nigeria by collaborating with British institutions.
As part of this initiative, TETFund disclosed that it will redirect funds from its suspended overseas scholarship programme to support in-house training and capacity-building initiatives for Nigerian institutions.
The move aims to enhance the quality of local education and reduce dependence on foreign training.
TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, made this known while receiving a delegation from the British Council, led by its Director of Global Network, Charlie Walker.
Echono emphasized that the partnership will facilitate knowledge exchange, collaborative research, and faculty development, allowing Nigerian academics to adopt global best practices and improve the overall quality of education.
“We appreciate your support in advancing transnational education. We have held multiple meetings with key stakeholders, including Sir Steve Smith and the National Universities Commission (NUC), and we now have an agreed framework to work with,” he said.
According to him, TETFund is committed to supporting Nigerian institutions in meeting the requirements for transnational education, ensuring they have the necessary resources to collaborate effectively with British institutions.
“We understand the multiple dimensions of transnational education and are prepared to provide the required funding. This initiative is timely, as we have suspended sending scholars abroad. While those currently studying overseas will complete their programmes, our focus for the next few years will be on in-house training,” he added.
Echono further noted that while Nigerian institutions may not fully meet global academic needs on their own, leveraging partnerships with experienced British institutions will expose local academics to emerging technologies and modern teaching methodologies.
“We want to leapfrog by learning from our partners who have broader experience and exposure, particularly in cutting-edge fields,” he stated.
Also speaking, Charlie Walker highlighted the significance of transnational education in bridging knowledge gaps, fostering cultural exchange, and promoting global collaboration between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Walker reaffirmed the long-standing educational ties between the two nations, emphasizing that investment in education has been a key aspect of their bilateral relationship.
“The British Council has played a vital role in connecting students, teachers, and academics in Nigeria and the UK. Our efforts have opened access to international education, knowledge-sharing, and study opportunities for young Nigerians,” he said.
He further noted that the TNE framework will internationalize education in both countries, benefiting students and academics from Nigeria and the UK alike.
“The collaboration between British and Nigerian universities will drive research, improve teaching quality, and equip young Nigerians with the skills they need,” Walker added.
He expressed excitement about the pilot programme, which will be rolled out across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, and assured that the British Council will provide full support to ensure its success.
“We are thrilled that the TNE guidelines are now moving into the implementation stage. We look forward to British institutions participating in this pilot programme and remain committed to working with TETFund and other stakeholders to make it a success,” he concluded.
