In a bold move to reshape Nigerian higher education, Ekiti State University and Babcock University have been selected for a transformative project funded by the British Council. The initiative aims to modernise university curricula with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship, circular economy principles, and peacebuilding.
Spearheaded by Dr. Olushola Kolawole, a Business Data Analytics and Entrepreneurship expert at the University of Bradford, the project convened curriculum experts, scholars, and education stakeholders in Lagos to brainstorm strategies for embedding sustainability and peace education into academic frameworks.
Dr. Kolawole stressed the importance of aligning Africa’s education with global trends. “We must equip the next generation with the tools to drive innovation, foster peace, and ensure sustainable growth,” he said.
As part of the program, the two universities will receive academic materials and resources tailored to support their new direction in teaching and research. The project is expected to foster interdisciplinary learning, promote sustainable business models, and instill a culture of peace among students.
Additionally, the team—which includes top academics from both Nigerian and UK institutions—is developing a textbook featuring African case studies and locally adapted global theories to enhance contextual learning.
This initiative is also seen as a step towards the internationalisation of Nigeria’s higher education system through collaborative knowledge exchange and academic innovation.