News
Birmingham, UNILAG Bring UK Postgraduate Degrees Closer to Nigerians
Reading in data-saving mode. Read full article from This Day website.
Published 10/18/2026 10:18:27 AM
Birmingham, UNILAG Bring UK Postgraduate Degrees Closer to Nigerians – THISDAYLIVE
Iyke Bede
Nigerian students seeking internationally recognised postgraduate qualifications will have an opportunity to study programmes offered by a United Kingdom university without relocating abroad, following a new partnership between the University of Birmingham and the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
The universities have launched two one-year postgraduate programmes in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Technologies, and Digital Media and Communications, which will be delivered in Lagos from September 2027.
The initiative, developed under a Transnational Education (TNE) arrangement in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission, is designed to expand access to international higher education while developing skills relevant to Nigeria’s growing economy.
Speaking at the launch on Thursday, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the partnership as crucial to Nigeria’s tertiary education development.
“Our planned collaboration and partnership with the University of Birmingham is both timely and strategic at this critical phase of Nigeria’s tertiary education advancement. It is designed to consolidate and deepen the significant gains we have made in strengthening our university system, while expanding access to world-class, high-quality education anchored in global best practices,” he said.
The MSc in AI and Data Technologies will cover machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, large language models and AI ethics, preparing graduates for opportunities in fintech, healthcare innovation and business analytics.
The MA in Digital Media and Communications will focus on digital cultures, communication, power, identity and media ethics, while equipping students with research, content creation and broadcasting skills for careers in journalism and digital communications.
The Provost of the University of Birmingham, Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams, said the programmes would support Nigeria’s educational and workforce development needs.
“We’re proud to launch these programmes with our partners at UNILAG. Together we are supporting Nigeria’s tertiary education and talent needs, which are central to its ambitions for economic growth,” he said.
Echoing the emphasis on the partnership’s long-term value, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, said the collaboration reflected the university’s broader approach to international partnerships:
“The University of Lagos-University of Birmingham TNE collaboration reflects UNILAG’s broader vision of reimagining partnerships built on mutual respect, co-creation, and shared responsibility.”
The British Council Nigeria described the arrangement as a more affordable and accessible route for Nigerian students to obtain UK postgraduate qualifications without studying abroad.
§
Jobberman Nigeria, Nigeria’s leading career development and recruitment solutions company, has launched ‘Her Next Move’, a campaign designed to empower young Nigerian women with practical skills and confidence to pursue career opportunities and participate more fully in the workforce.
Through free online training, the initiative supports women aged 18 to 35 as they prepare to enter the workplace, advance into better roles or explore freelance and gig work.
Built around the message ‘Your Future. Your Skills. Your Move’, the campaign places female inclusion at the centre of career development, encouraging women to take an active role in shaping their professional futures. It connects the ambition to progress with an accessible starting point: learning skills that can help women prepare for their next opportunity.
‘Her Next Move’ recognises that career progress looks different for every woman. For a graduate, it may mean preparing for a first job. For a woman already working, it may involve developing the skills to take on greater responsibility or pursue a new role. For another, it may mean understanding how to navigate freelance work and participate in the global gig economy. The campaign brings these aspirations together through a shared emphasis on learning, preparation and action.
This Initiative by Jobberman in partnership with Mastercard Foundation promotes two courses: Jobberman Soft Skills Training and Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker. Both courses are free, with a free certificate upon successful completion.
Jobberman Soft Skills Training focuses on workplace readiness, helping participants build the professional skills needed to navigate work and prepare for career progression. Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker introduces participants to the demands and opportunities of freelance and gig work, supporting women interested in exploring career paths beyond traditional employment.
By making the training and certification available at no cost, ‘Her Next Move’ reduces the financial barrier to participation and encourages more young women to invest in their professional development. Its focus extends from raising awareness of learning opportunities to helping participants follow through and complete their chosen course.
To bring the campaign to life, Jobberman is working with young creators who are sharing personal stories about ambition, career transitions and the role of learning in their journeys. Through videos, social media posts and follow-up conversations, the creators encourage young women to reflect on their own goals and identify the practical steps they can take towards them.
These stories are intended to make career development relatable, connecting everyday aspirations with opportunities to learn. Across the campaign, the question “What is your next move?” invites women to define progress for themselves and begin preparing for it.
‘Her Next Move’ reinforces Jobberman’s and Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to supporting career development and expanding access to learning for young Nigerian women. By combining free skills training with relatable storytelling and encouragement to take action, the campaign seeks to help more women feel prepared to pursue their ambitions.
