Abuja, Nigeria – March 26, 2025: His Excellency Dr. Hajo Sani, OON, Nigeria’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, met Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, FCVSN, the newly appointed NUC Executive Secretary.
During the visit, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Nigerian higher education through strengthened collaboration.
Dr. Sani initiated the dialogue by congratulating Professor Ribadu on his recent appointment. She stressed UNESCO’s eagerness to expand partnerships with the NUC, emphasizing alignment between national education goals and global benchmarks. Furthermore, she underscored the urgency of boosting innovation, research, and institutional capacity nationwide.
Professor Ribadu reciprocated by thanking Dr. Sani for her visit. He pledged to prioritize dynamic cooperation with UNESCO, recognizing its pivotal role in elevating education quality. Additionally, he acknowledged persistent challenges within Nigeria’s university system, urging joint action to address them.
The leaders then explored actionable strategies for improving higher education. Specifically, they discussed widening access to equitable learning opportunities and fostering cutting-edge research. They also examined leveraging UNESCO’s technical expertise to tackle systemic barriers, such as outdated curricula and funding gaps.
Professor Ribadu elaborated on his vision for a globally competitive university sector. He emphasized sustained international alliances, stating, “Partnerships with organizations like UNESCO will drive transformative change.” Simultaneously, he assured Dr. Sani of the NUC’s proactive engagement in joint initiatives.
The meeting concluded with mutual optimism about future collaboration. Both parties agreed to prioritize resource mobilization, faculty training, and digital infrastructure upgrades. These steps, they affirmed, would align Nigerian institutions with 21st-century educational demands.
This engagement marks a milestone in NUC-UNESCO relations, reflecting shared ambitions to revolutionize higher education. By combining local insights with global frameworks, the partnership aims to cultivate excellence, inclusivity, and resilience across universities.
Dr. Sani reiterated UNESCO’s readiness to support policy reforms and capacity-building programs. She highlighted ongoing projects, such as digital literacy campaigns and gender-inclusive scholarships, as models for scalable impact.
Professor Ribadu echoed her sentiments, pledging to integrate UNESCO’s recommendations into the NUC’s strategic plans. He also proposed establishing a joint task force to monitor progress and ensure accountability.
The discussions further addressed curriculum modernization, urging universities to adopt STEM-focused and entrepreneurship-driven programs. Such reforms, they argued, would equip graduates with skills for a rapidly evolving job market.
Lastly, both leaders emphasized community engagement, advocating for stronger ties between universities and local industries. By bridging academia and societal needs, they aim to enhance research relevance and graduate employability.
As the visit concluded, Dr. Sani commended the NUC’s renewed vigor under Professor Ribadu’s leadership. She expressed confidence that sustained collaboration would yield measurable improvements in education quality and access.
Professor Ribadu, in turn, thanked UNESCO for its unwavering support, vowing to translate dialogue into tangible outcomes. He announced plans for a bilateral summit later in 2025 to solidify next steps.
This high-level engagement reinforces the critical role of diplomacy in education reform. Through unified efforts, Nigeria’s universities can emerge as hubs of innovation, driving national development and global competitiveness.
