The University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom have launched two joint postgraduate programmes in artificial intelligence and data technologies, and digital media and communications.
Gatekeepers News reports that Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, announced the development in a post on X on Friday, saying teaching for the programmes would begin in September 2027.
He added that the partnership includes plans to introduce bachelor’s degree programmes in fields relevant to the job market next year.
According to Alausa, the two universities signed an agreement on January 29, 2026, under Nigeria’s transnational education (TNE) programme.
“Yesterday, as part of this partnership, we officially launched two joint postgraduate programmes in Artificial Intelligence & Data Technologies and Digital Media & Communications, with teaching beginning in September 2027 and plans to introduce bachelor’s degree programmes in market-relevant fields next year,” the minister said.
He explained that the initiative aligns with the education quality assurance pillar of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we are turning our commitment to quality education into real opportunities for Nigerian students, in line with the Education Quality Assurance pillar of Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI),” Alausa stated.
The minister commended the leadership of both universities, the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the British High Commission in Nigeria and other stakeholders for their contributions to the partnership.
“This is what meaningful international partnerships can achieve. We are raising the bar for tertiary education in Nigeria, creating new opportunities for our young people and positioning our universities on the global stage. And we are only getting started,” he said.
Background
In January 2026, UNILAG and the University of Birmingham signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish joint degree programmes in Nigeria.
The agreement was signed at the UNILAG campus auditorium, with representatives of the University of Birmingham, the British High Commission in Lagos, the National Universities Commission and TETFund in attendance.
Nick Vaughan-Williams, Provost and Vice-Principal of the University of Birmingham, described the agreement as a commitment by the two institutions “to make students benefit from the UK varsity in Lagos”.
The partnership is expected to expand access to international higher education opportunities for Nigerian students while strengthening collaboration between the two universities.
