Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has revealed that discussions with Coventry University and development partners are underway to establish a Nigerian branch campus, offering affordable UK-accredited programmes to local students.
The proposed campus will be located in Alaro City, Lagos State, and is expected to offer Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes across Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM), Business, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
“All degrees will be equivalent to those awarded in the United Kingdom, with admissions expected to commence between Q3 and Q4 2026, pending regulatory approvals”, the Ministry of Education said.
Alausa emphasized that the initiative is designed to expand access to world-class education while reducing costs for Nigerian families.
“For too long, parents have had to send their children thousands of miles away in search of quality education. With Coventry University Nigeria, students will earn fully accredited UK degrees without leaving the country”, he said.
The minister added that the project aims to strengthen Nigeria’s human capital, develop skills, and boost employability.
“This is about nurturing the workforce, driving innovation, and supporting long-term national growth”, he noted.
The government’s push for transnational education follows a series of regulatory steps by the National Universities Commission (NUC), which in 2022 developed guidelines for foreign universities operating in Nigeria, covering branch campuses, joint degrees, and franchised programmes to ensure quality and protect the integrity of the nation’s higher education system.
Efforts to deepen international collaboration have included engagements with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the UK Department for Business and Trade, focusing on partnerships, collaborative research, and expanded opportunities for Nigerian students to access foreign-accredited programmes locally.
The Ministry said it remains committed to making globally competitive education accessible within Nigeria, supporting both academic excellence and economic growth through strengthened skills development.
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