Africa Bridge Initiative and Bournemouth University Higher Education Corporation, UK, have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to develop mutual academic interests and foster youth development in Nigeria.
The five-year agreement aims to promote academic collaboration, youth exchange programs, scholarships, and postgraduate scholarships.
The MOA was signed during the annual youth development summit of the African Bridge Initiative and the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos.
Signing the agreement, the duo of Vice-Chancellor of BU, Prof John Vinney and Executive Director/CEO of ABI, Mr Taiwo Opeoluwa, said the collaboration was also in the areas of research, knowledge and staff exchanges.
“We believe that education is a tool for bringing everyone to a levelled playing platform,” Opeoluwa said.
“This MOA will enable us to provide opportunities for Nigerian youths to access quality education and develop skills that will equip them for the digital economy.”
In the same vein, the BU VC said the MOA will enable the two institutions to share expertise and resources to make a positive impact on the lives of Nigerian youths.
“We are excited to partner with Africa Bridge Initiative to promote academic excellence and youth development in Nigeria,” Vinney said.
Keynote speaker at the ceremony, Dr Mories Atoki emphasized the need for Nigerian youths to acquire digital skills to remain relevant in the global economy.
“The economy of the 21st century does not answer to analogue or a first-class degree but digital,” she said.
“The digital economy is a sector on its own, and it’s bigger than social media. Students must participate actively in gaining the knowledge necessary for the digital economy.”
Giving his remarks, the board chairman of Africa Bridge Initiative, Prof Olatunde Babawale, expressed optimism that the partnership would contribute to the development of Nigeria’s education sector.
