• Education in Tinubu’s administration is priority- Mamman
• Partnership will impact Nigeria’s education sector – Akobundu
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Princeton University, New Jersey
The Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria, Princeton University and the African School of Economics and have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to focus on research and programmatic partnerships that improve education, capacity development and governance in Nigeria.
The MoU was signed at Nassau Hall, on Tuesday by Minister for Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, Vice Provost for International Affairs and Operations and Professor of Politics, International Affairs and Economics, Aly Kassam-Remtulla and Founder and President of the African School of Economics, Leonard Wantchekon.
Some of the activities that the MoU would focus on include supporting curriculum development, innovation and technology-led interventions, developing data and research centers and conducting quantitative and qualitative research for education policy in Nigeria.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mamman, described the MOU as highly significant and timely interventions in Nigeria’s education sector. He assured that the President Bola Tinubu’s has made education a key priority of his administration with plans to increase education budget up to 25 percent of National budget from current five percent.
He said: “It gives me immense pleasure to be here at this important event – an event that heralds highly significant and timely interventions in Nigeria’s education sector.
“Nigeria is blessed with vast potentials in human talent, waiting for the opportunity to harness and nurture, the most important route being access to quality education.
“It is my humble aspiration that under my leadership of Nigeria’s education ministry, we plan to bridge the learning, development, and the resource gaps.
“The event of today therefore represent a seminal step towards these goals. Fortunately for us, we have a new Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, who has made education a key priority of his government with plans to increase education budget up to 25% of National budget from current 5%.
“On all fronts, this is an exceptional period for us that must be fully and productively utilized.”
The National Coordinator/ Chief Executive Officer, African Union Development Agency- new Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria, Gloria Akobundu, described the the MOU between the Ministry of Education, ASE, and Princeton University as a most gratifying fruition of the aspirations of the ASE/AUDA-NEPAD alliance.
She said: “For us at AUDA-NEPAD, the African School of Economics (ASE) mirrors our strong intent towards national and continental development, particularly through building knowledge, competencies, and local institutions. And we are working with ASE based on a mutual understanding of the aforementioned goal and the necessary paths to it, which is comprised of the following areas: Partnerships; Development; Economics; and Resource Mobilization.
“It is my earnest hope that in the coming years, as we jointly unfold our plans for improving education in Nigeria, we will forge stronger ties between ourselves in the process, and most importantly, the objectives of our collaboration will be fully realized.”
In a statement signed by Fatima Khan on behalf of Princeton, said the MOU as thrilling, affirming the university is eager to share her expertise as well as learn from counterparts in Nigeria, working together to make a meaningful impact on education and human capital development.
“We are thrilled to be part of this comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that brings together the Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria, the African School of Economics (ASE), and Princeton University. The scope and depth of this MoU reflect a remarkable commitment to advancing education and driving positive change in Nigeria.
“The collaboration encompasses a wide array of initiatives, from curriculum development and vocational education to research and policy formulation, all aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of education in the country.
“Princeton University is deeply committed to this partnership, and we recognize the tremendous potential it holds for the future of education in Nigeria.
“At Princeton, teaching and research is faculty-driven, and we believe in the power of knowledge and innovation to transform societies. As such, we are eager to engage with our partners in the Federal Ministry of Education and ASE to take the next steps in implementing the initiatives outlined in this MoU.
“Our students and scholars are excited about the opportunity to collaborate closely on research, curriculum development, and capacity building. We are eager to share our expertise and learn from our counterparts in Nigeria, working together to make a meaningful impact on education and human capital development.
“The future holds great promise, and we look forward to the journey ahead as we collectively strive to elevate education in Nigeria and beyond.”