The Federal Government has intensified efforts to expand access to globally recognised education in Nigeria, announcing plans to establish a local campus of Coventry University through a transnational education partnership.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Education, is expected to allow Nigerian students to obtain United Kingdom-accredited degrees without leaving the country, in what officials describe as a major step toward reducing the cost of overseas education and curbing capital flight.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, disclosed the development in a statement on Wednesday, noting that discussions are ongoing with key stakeholders in the UK.
Alausa, who is currently in the United Kingdom accompanying President Bola Tinubu, said the government is engaging university leaders, investors, and development partners to fast-track the project.
According to him, the proposed campus will be located in Alaro City, a fast-developing education and economic hub in Lagos State.
The institution is expected to offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine, as well as Business and Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
“All degrees offered will be equivalent to those awarded in the United Kingdom,” the minister said, adding that admissions could begin between the third and fourth quarters of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
Alausa said the move would ease the financial burden on Nigerian families while improving access to quality education.
“We want Nigerian parents to enjoy their children being at home while still receiving a world-class UK education,” he stated
Nigeria has witnessed a steady increase in the number of students seeking education abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, driven by the perceived quality of foreign institutions and frequent disruptions in the domestic university system.
Data from UK authorities show that tens of thousands of Nigerian students are enrolled in British universities annually, making Nigeria one of the largest sources of international students to the UK.
However, the sharp depreciation of the naira in recent years has significantly increased the cost of tuition, accommodation, and living expenses abroad.
Education analysts have also linked the trend to recurring strikes by university unions, infrastructure deficits, and limited admission spaces in Nigerian tertiary institutions, which push many families to explore foreign alternatives.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has, in the past, flagged the high demand for foreign exchange for education-related expenses as a contributor to pressure on the country’s external reserves.
The proposed Coventry University campus aligns with the federal government’s broader strategy to promote Transnational Education, a model that allows foreign institutions to deliver their programmes in host countries.
Officials say the model will help Nigeria retain talent, reduce brain drain, and build local capacity in critical sectors such as technology, healthcare, and engineering.
The partnership is being supported by the United Kingdom Department for Business and Trade, reflecting growing bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the UK in education and skills development.
Experts note that similar arrangements in countries like the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia have successfully attracted international universities, transforming those nations into regional education hubs.
By: Deborah Tolu-Kolawole
