The University of Lagos (UNILAG), in partnership with the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), Covenant University, and the University of Ibadan, convened a Project Impact Showcase for the Bridging Borders Project at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre, UNILAG, Akoka, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
The project, themed Transnational Education Pathways between the UK and Nigeria, was funded by the British Council and aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship education through sustainable international collaboration.
Advancing Entrepreneurship Education
The Project Lead, Prof. Paschal Anosike (UWE Bristol), opened the programme with an overview of the initiative, highlighting its mission to enhance institutional capacity for effective Entrepreneurship Education (EE) delivery in Nigerian universities. He explained that the project sought to establish transnational education (TNE) partnerships anchored on joint and dual award models, thereby expanding access to quality higher education.
Between April and June 2025, twelve (12) online training workshops were delivered via Microsoft Teams, engaging one hundred and seven (107) participants from UNILAG, University of Ibadan, and Covenant University. The workshops enabled participants to review and update entrepreneurship curricula in line with global best practices, while maintaining local relevance and practical impact.
A major milestone of the project was the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between UWE Bristol and the three Nigerian partner universities. These agreements formalized commitments to joint curriculum development, co-delivery of programmes, and clearly defined student progression pathways, laying a strong foundation for sustained TNE collaboration beyond the project’s lifecycle.
Stakeholders Perspectives
In his remarks, the Director of Office of International Relations, Partnerships and Prospects, UNILAG, Prof. Ismail Ibraheem, described entrepreneurship as a philosophy, culture, and way of life that must be embraced. He commended Prof. Anosike for bringing together three leading Nigerian universities on a shared platform to advance entrepreneurship education.
Also speaking, the Director of Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, University of Ibadan, Prof. Sherifat Abaoba, shared measurable outcomes from the training. Despite her academic background in Chemistry, she noted that the programme had significantly enhanced her capacity in entrepreneurship education and outlined future plans to further strengthen EE delivery at her institution.
Highlighting the impact of the training at Covenant University, Dr. Isaac Akinwumi of the Department of Civil Engineering emphasized the importance of developing joint short courses, providing seed funding for student start-ups, and expanding industry partnerships to deepen entrepreneurial learning.
The event also featured a panel discussion with participants from the three universities, as well as a goodwill message from Mr. Daniel Emanahor, Head of Higher Education at the British Council. He reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to equitable and mutually beneficial partnerships in transnational education and highlighted plans to further advance entrepreneurship education through innovative toolkits designed to empower students.
A Foundation for Sustainable Impact
The Bridging Borders Project Impact Showcase underscored the transformative potential of transnational education partnerships in shaping the future of entrepreneurship education in Nigeria. By fostering collaboration among leading institutions and aligning curricula with global standards, the initiative has laid a solid foundation for innovation, capacity building, and expanded access to higher education.
With sustained commitment from partner universities and continued support from the British Council, the project is well-positioned to deliver lasting impact beyond its initial phase, strengthening entrepreneurship education and fostering globally competitive graduates.
Author: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Editor: Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem
Photographer: Islamiat Akanni
