Dr Tunji Alausa Calls for Strategic Partnerships to Build Sustainable Tertiary Education Systems in Africa

The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, has called for greater strategic partnerships across Africa and the United Kingdom to build sustainable and relevant tertiary education systems in Africa.

He made this call during his opening address at the Going Global Africa Conference 2024, held at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, on Tuesday.

In his address, Dr. Alausa expressed his pride in hosting the conference in Abuja and stressed the importance of the event in addressing contemporary issues in higher education.

He praised the British Council for its foresight in organizing the conference, which, he said, would provide a platform for discussing and proffering solutions to the challenges faced by higher education systems worldwide.

“Reliable information has it that some of you are visiting Abuja, or indeed, Nigeria, for the first time. I wish you a memorable and fulfilling stay in our vibrant country and capital city of Abuja. Please, take some time out during this visit to explore Nigeria, especially our entertaining afrobeats, creative culture, and delicious cuisines!” Dr. Alausa said.

The theme of the conference, Building Sustainable and Relevant Tertiary Education Institutions and Systems in Africa, resonated deeply with Dr. Alausa, who underscored the importance of education as a cornerstone for Africa’s socio-economic growth.

He highlighted Nigeria’s efforts to transform its higher education system since the establishment of the University College, Ibadan, in 1948, noting that the country now boasts over 270 universities, with a rapidly evolving curriculum tailored to the demands of the 21st century.

However, the minister also acknowledged the challenges still faced by Nigeria’s tertiary education system, including inadequate funding, a shortage of qualified staff, and limited access to education for many qualified Nigerian youths.

He called for a collective effort to address these issues through international collaboration and strategic partnerships.

“As a government, we are committed to addressing these challenges through partnerships with universities and accelerated PhD programs. Through TETFund, we have embarked on massive infrastructure development and automation across Nigerian universities, with a focus on creating national research repositories and commercializing key research for national development,” Dr. Alausa explained.

One of the significant initiatives that Dr. Alausa highlighted was the introduction of the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) in 2023, which prioritizes ICT, critical thinking, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary courses.

He also pointed to the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) introduction of Transnational Education (TNE), which aims to foster global partnerships in higher education.

While acknowledging the progress made, Dr. Alausa emphasized that challenges such as access to quality education, insufficient infrastructure, and the need for more qualified faculty members remain prevalent across many African nations.

“We cannot afford to let these challenges hold us back. Africa’s future is in our hands, and higher education is the foundation upon which that future will be built,” Dr. Alausa declared.

He urged stakeholders to leverage their collective knowledge and resources to develop innovative solutions that would make tertiary education more accessible and impactful for future generations.

“We must tap into the abundant human and material resources around us in improving higher education in Africa for sustainable development and for generations to come,” he concluded.