UNILAG has officially partnered with the University of Birmingham, UK, giving Nigerian students the chance to earn internationally recognised UK degrees without leaving the country.
The landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at UNILAG’s Senate Chambers under the Birmingham–Institute of Research for Medical Sciences (BIRMS) programme, and the Transnational Education (TNE) arrangement is set to roll out validated University of Birmingham programmes at UNILAG starting 2027.
UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, described the MoU as confirmation of a decade-long collaboration, particularly in surgical research and mentorship, rather than the start of a new partnership.
“Today marks a historic milestone in Nigeria–UK academic collaboration,” she said. “This partnership builds on more than ten years of research, mentorship, and academic programmes in global surgery.”
The collaboration has already delivered results. Through the Nigeria Institute of Health Research and the Global Surgery Unit (GSU), research units have been established in 37 institutions across Nigeria, producing over a dozen studies and a 15% reduction in surgical site infections—now adopted in Federal Ministry of Health policy.
Prof. Ogunsola also highlighted the MSc in Surgery programme at UNILAG’s College of Medicine, which has mentored over 120 UNILAG students and more than 1,000 students nationwide.
Answering questions on how the MoU would go beyond paper, she said:
“The signing does not indicate the starting point of the partnership; it confirms the bond and track record of collaboration between UNILAG and the University of Birmingham.”
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the MoU as a “bold and audacious step” in transforming Nigeria’s education sector. He explained that the Federal Government’s TNE policy will guide cross-border collaborations, ease admission pressures, expand access to tertiary education, and attract foreign investment.
“This partnership aligns perfectly with the National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which focuses on infrastructure, teacher training, technology integration, and global competitiveness,” the minister said.
British Deputy High Commissioner, John Baxter, called the collaboration a practical solution to Nigeria’s higher education challenges, where over 1.3 million qualified students annually miss out on university admission.
“This partnership brings world-class UK education to Nigeria and expands access to high-quality degrees locally,” Baxter said, adding that students will also gain skills in areas like artificial intelligence and data science—critical tools for the future of work.
Top officials at the ceremony included the Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu; Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono; Provost of the University of Birmingham, Prof. Nick Vaughan-Williams; Director of the British Council Nigeria, Donna McGowan; and the Barling Chair of Surgery, Prof. Dion Morton.
With this MoU now in place, UNILAG students can look forward to earning UK degrees from home starting 2027, opening new doors for international education and research opportunities right on Nigerian soil.
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