In a landmark meeting focused on enhancing educational collaboration, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, warmly welcomed a high-level delegation from the People’s Republic of China, led by Vice Minister of Education, Mr. Wu Yan. The discussions centered on expanding cooperation in critical educational fields, including technical and vocational education, higher education, and language studies.
Dr. Sani-Gwarzo highlighted the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and China, reaffirming Nigeria’s dedication to advancing existing bilateral educational initiatives. He noted the progress of key projects like the University of Transportation in Daura, where 449 students have commenced their studies, with plans to enroll additional students soon. He emphasized the urgency of finalizing the Nigeria-China bilateral agreement to enhance educational exchanges, creating pathways for Nigerian students to benefit from scholarships and internship opportunities in China.
In an ambitious proposal, Dr. Sani-Gwarzo called for the establishment of a Nigeria-China University to bridge cultural and academic gaps. He argued that such an institution would symbolize the partnership and facilitate deeper ties between the two countries. Furthermore, he advocated for improving Nigeria’s educational infrastructure through local manufacturing of educational resources, which would bolster job creation and strengthen the education sector. The Permanent Secretary also stressed the need for more Confucius Institutes in northern Nigeria, enhancing Chinese language learning opportunities, and proposed collaborations for certificate verification and internships with Chinese companies like CCECC.
In response, Vice Minister Wu Yan expressed optimism about expanding educational cooperation, emphasizing China’s commitment to support Nigeria’s educational goals. He provided insights into China’s nine-year compulsory education system, which has achieved a remarkable completion rate of over 96%. Mr. Wu also pointed out China’s significant focus on vocational and technical education, noting that over 70% of new labor force entrants come from TVET institutions, which could serve as a model for Nigeria’s development.
Mr. Wu welcomed the idea of establishing a Nigeria-China University and reiterated China’s support for expanding Confucius Institutes and Chinese language centers across Nigeria. He acknowledged the existing educational exchanges, with more than 5,000 Nigerian students studying in China, and highlighted successful vocational training programs that have trained hundreds of Nigerians. The Vice Minister affirmed China’s eagerness to deepen these initiatives, further enriching educational cooperation between the two nations.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen the educational partnership, with Dr. Sani-Gwarzo expressing gratitude for China’s ongoing support. Both parties reaffirmed their dedication to projects that would benefit both countries, symbolizing a future of collaborative growth.
Signed
FOLASADE BORIOWO
DIRECTOR PRESS&PR
Federal Ministry of Education.
