LAGOS — A new era of Transnational Education (TNE) has officially taken root in Nigeria. The Bridging Borders Project, supported by the British Council, recently showcased the results of a high-impact collaboration between the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and three of Nigeria’s premier academic institutions: the University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Ibadan (UI), and Covenant University.
The initiative, led by Prof. Pascal Anosike, aims to move entrepreneurship education (EE) beyond the classroom and into the realm of global best practices, ensuring Nigerian graduates are not just job seekers, but globally competitive job creators.
Formalizing Global Ties: The MoUs
A definitive milestone of the project was the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between UWE Bristol and the three Nigerian partners. These aren’t merely ceremonial papers; they represent a formalized commitment to:
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Joint Curriculum Development: Aligning coursework with international standards while staying rooted in the Nigerian business reality.
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Co-Delivery of Programmes: Leveraging expertise from both UK and Nigerian faculty.
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Student Progression Pathways: Creating clear academic routes for students to transition between the partner institutions.
Capacity Building via the Cloud
The project successfully bypassed geographical barriers through a series of 12 online training workshops delivered via Microsoft Teams between April and June 2025.
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Participants: 107 academic leaders and staff members.
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Interdisciplinary Impact: Notably, Prof. Sherifat Abaoba of UI (a Chemist by training) highlighted how the programme shifted her perspective, proving that entrepreneurship is a “philosophy and culture” that transcends specific departments.
Perspectives from the Lead Institutions
The project has sparked a shift in how these top-tier universities approach innovation:
UNILAG: Prof. Ismail Ibraheem emphasized that entrepreneurship must become a “way of life” within the university ecosystem.
University of Ibadan: The institution is already implementing measurable outcomes from the training to strengthen its Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Covenant University: Dr. Isaac Akinwumi outlined a future focused on joint short courses, seed funding for student-led start-ups, and deeper industry partnerships.
The British Council’s Vision
Mr. Daniel Emanahor, Head of Higher Education at the British Council, reaffirmed the organization’s support for these “equitable and mutually beneficial” partnerships. He hinted at the upcoming release of innovative toolkits designed to further empower students with the practical skills needed to navigate the 2026 economy.
Bridging Borders Project: Key Achievements
| Milestone | Impact |
| 12 Workshops | 107 staff trained in global EE best practices. |
| TNE MoUs | Long-term institutional commitment to joint degrees and research. |
| Curriculum Update | Entrepreneurship courses now align with practical, modern standards. |
| Collaboration | UNILAG, UI, and Covenant University now share a unified platform for innovation. |
