The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, has initiated efforts to boost Nigeria’s academic standing through global partnerships, starting with the Qatari Government.
Speaking at the Qatar-Nigeria Educational Partnership Forum in Doha, Prof. Mamman reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fostering international academic collaborations.
He highlighted three key areas for potential cooperation between Nigerian and Qatari educational institutions: research partnerships that enable joint projects between researchers, student exchange programs for Nigerian students to study in Qatar, and sabbatical opportunities for Nigerian scholars to conduct research in Qatari institutions.
“This partnership aims to promote academic excellence and cultural exchange between the two nations, aligning with Nigeria’s broader vision of internationalizing its education system,” Prof. Mamman said, adding that this initiative is an outcome of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent state visit to Qatar.
The forum underscored the importance of strategic collaborations between universities in Nigeria and Qatar, with the potential for Nigerian scholars to share knowledge, engage in cutting-edge research, and foster collaboration with leading Qatari universities.
Additionally, the forum addressed Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis. As part of Qatar’s “Education Above All” initiative, a collaboration with the Kaduna State Government aims to bring 100,000 children—especially girls and children with disabilities—back into the classroom.
Prof. Mamman commended Qatar’s commitment to education, highlighting its work in Borno on crisis learning programs. He emphasized Nigeria’s readiness to deepen this collaboration, which he believes will not only address the country’s immediate educational needs but also elevate the global standing of Nigerian higher education institutions.
The Minister expressed his gratitude to the Qatari government, the EAA Foundation, and other partners for their support, noting that the partnership will create lasting impacts, improving access to education and enhancing the international reputation of Nigeria’s academic institutions.
