News
UK–Nigeria Trade Mission Deepens Education, Skills Partnership
UK–Nigeria Trade Mission Deepens Education, Skills Partnership
By: Michael Mike
A high-level United Kingdom trade mission on education and skills has concluded a week-long skills and schools trade mission to Nigeria, laying a solid foundation for expanded collaboration in education and workforce development between both countries.
The mission, which ran from April 19 to 23 in Abuja and Lagos, brought together leading UK private schools, skills providers and education institutions with Nigerian stakeholders, including policymakers, investors and school operators.
Organised by the UK Department for Business and Trade, the engagement is part of the UK’s broader International Education Strategy, which identifies Nigeria as one of five priority markets for global education partnerships. The initiative is being championed by Steve Smith, who is expected to return to Nigeria later this year to sustain momentum.
The mission builds on diplomatic and educational engagements during a recent state visit to the United Kingdom in March, further reinforcing the growing importance of education within UK–Nigeria bilateral relations.
At the heart of discussions was the expansion of in-country delivery of British education, including the establishment of internationally recognised UK schools in Nigeria, as well as the development of industry-aligned skills programmes, particularly in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
In Abuja, the delegation held high-level talks with Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, securing strong political backing for deeper institutional cooperation. Both sides explored pathways for partnerships that would strengthen Nigeria’s education system while equipping young people with skills tailored to labour market demands.
The delegation also visited several British curriculum schools and colleges in Abuja and Lagos, gaining first-hand insight into teaching standards and operational models already in place within Nigeria.
Speaking at the conclusion of the mission, British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, highlighted education as a key pillar of bilateral engagement.
“The UK and Nigeria share a deep and longstanding relationship, and opportunities in education are one of its most exciting frontiers,” he said, noting that the mission demonstrated “strong appetite on both sides to deepen collaboration.”
He added that connecting UK institutions with Nigerian partners would help build sustainable, in-country education systems, while positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for high-quality learning.
Also reflecting on the mission, Sarah Chidgey described the initiative as a practical demonstration of the UK’s education strategy in action.
According to her, progress in UK–Nigeria education collaboration has grown steadily since her first visit in 2022, with the current mission reinforcing mutual commitment to expanding access, quality, and innovation in the sector.
The delegation included representatives from prominent UK institutions such as Harrow International School, The King’s School Canterbury, Whitgift School, Bedford School, and Pearson, among others.
The mission concluded with a robust pipeline of follow-up activities, including one-on-one engagements, memorandum of understanding (MoU) discussions, and agreed next steps aimed at translating dialogue into tangible partnerships.
Analysts say the initiative signals a shift toward more structured and commercially viable education cooperation between both countries, with potential benefits spanning student mobility, local capacity building, and skills development aligned to Nigeria’s economic priorities.
With sustained engagement expected in the months ahead, stakeholders believe the mission could mark a turning point in positioning Nigeria as a major destination for international education investment in Africa.
UK–Nigeria Trade Mission Deepens Education, Skills Partnership
Two ISWAP terrorists surrender to troops in Monguno, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Two suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.
The two men, identified as Jidda Modu, 20, and Kaka Kawu, 21, surrendered at about 8:20 p.m. on Sept. 1 to troops of Headquarters Sector 3 deployed at Charlie 4, Monguno town.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the surrendered terrorists handed over two AK-47 rifles, eight rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two magazines.
Other items recovered from them included five mobile phones — Infinix, Tecno, Samsung, Redmi and a Tecno button phone — as well as one pair of earbuds, a power bank, a Zenith Bank ATM card, a memory card and a USB cable.
The troops also recovered two head warmers and one bag from the men.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the two were among a group of about 10 ISWAP members who reportedly left a terrorist camp at Arinna Chiki with the intention of surrendering to the authorities.
The surrendered individuals and the recovered items have been taken into the custody of Headquarters Sector 3 for further action. Two ISWAP terrorists surrender to troops in Monguno, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Two suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.
The two men, identified as Jidda Modu, 20, and Kaka Kawu, 21, surrendered at about 8:20 p.m. on Sept. 1 to troops of Headquarters Sector 3 deployed at Charlie 4, Monguno town.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the surrendered terrorists handed over two AK-47 rifles, eight rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two magazines.
Other items recovered from them included five mobile phones — Infinix, Tecno, Samsung, Redmi and a Tecno button phone — as well as one pair of earbuds, a power bank, a Zenith Bank ATM card, a memory card and a USB cable.
The troops also recovered two head warmers and one bag from the men.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the two were among a group of about 10 ISWAP members who reportedly left a terrorist camp at Arinna Chiki with the intention of surrendering to the authorities.
The surrendered individuals and the recovered items have been taken into the custody of Headquarters Sector 3 for further action.
Two ISWAP terrorists surrender to troops in Monguno, Borno
Berom Militia shoot five cows in Plateau, troops move to prevent reprisal attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have intensified patrols around communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State following an attack on cattle by Berom Militia
The incident occurred at about 9:47 p.m. on Sept. 1 at Jong Village, Ropp District, where the troops responded to a report of an attack on cattle.
According to a 12-hourly situation report covering 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 1 to 6:00 a.m. on Sept. 2, troops arrived at the location and discovered that five cows had been shot by unidentified gunmen.
Three of the animals reportedly died at the scene.
Following the incident, troops deployed across the general areas of Jong, Nyerwai and Dorowa Babuje to prevent possible reprisals and maintain peace among communities in the area.
The deployment is aimed at containing tensions and averting any escalation that could result from the attack.
Meanwhile, routine patrols are ongoing across the Operation ENDURING PEACE Joint Operations Area to safeguard schools, communities and other critical national infrastructure.
Berom Militia shoot five cows in Plateau, troops move to prevent reprisal attack
Troops neutralise three terrorists after ambush on Miyanti-Banki route
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 151 Task Force Battalion have neutralised three terrorists following an ambush on the Maiduguri-Miyanti-Banki Junction route in Borno State.
The incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 1, when the troops, while conducting route-scanning operations along the major road, came under attack by terrorist elements.
According to sources, the terrorists initiated the attack with a concealed improvised explosive device (IED), followed by heavy volume of fire.
The troops fought through the ambush and subsequently launched an immediate exploitation operation against the attackers.
During the encounter, three terrorists were neutralised, while troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, 14 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and one concealed IED.
On the side of the troops, one soldier sustained injuries during the engagement and was evacuated to 21 Specialised Brigade Hospital, Maiduguri, where he is reportedly stable and receiving medical attention.
The attack also resulted in damage to the windscreen of one of the troops’ gun trucks.
The latest incident underscores the continued threat posed by terrorist elements along major routes in Borno State, particularly through the use of IEDs and ambush tactics against military patrols.
The military said the general security situation across the theatre remained calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remained satisfactory.
Troops continue to maintain offensive and route-clearance operations to disrupt terrorist activities and ensure the safety of civilians and motorists across the theatre.
Troops neutralise three terrorists after ambush on Miyanti-Banki route
Two ISWAP terrorists surrender to troops in Monguno, Borno
Berom Militia shoot five cows in Plateau, troops move to prevent reprisal attack
Troops neutralise three terrorists after ambush on Miyanti-Banki route
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions5 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions5 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS3 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns3 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Politics1 year ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
