A global organisation for development co-operation, the D-8 Organisation for Economic Co-operation, has called for strategic partnerships between leading international universities and research institutions to facilitate the global exchange of knowledge, innovation, and best practices.
Delivering the keynote address during the first international conference of the Centre for International Education (CIE) and the 12th International Students’ Day at the University of Ilorin, the Secretary-General of the organisation, also called Developing-8, Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, stressed the need for universities, particularly those in the Global South, to collaborate in advancing quality education, cross-border research, and innovation.
Developing-8 is an organisation for development co-operation among Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey. Azerbaijan was admitted to the organisation as the ninth member on 19 December 2024.
Ambassador Imam, who cited Malaysia, Türkiye, and Egypt (all D-8 member countries) as hubs of international education and student mobility, stated that tapping into the experience and resources of these countries would provide fresh opportunities for students and scholars at the University of Ilorin to enhance their learning and research capabilities.
He also emphasised the importance of investing in digital infrastructure to drive inclusive and globally competitive education. He encouraged the university to expand its digital reach by ensuring high-speed internet access, deploying smart classroom technologies, and integrating AI-driven educational tools to enhance teaching, learning, and research beyond the physical campus.
While acknowledging Unilorin’s impressive strides, the D-8 Secretary-General challenged the university and other African higher institutions to look beyond traditional educational models and embrace global collaboration.
He, however, cautioned that the path to globalising education is fraught with challenges, particularly in Africa. Imam identified key issues such as resource constraints, underfunding, and infrastructural deficits that limit faculty training and research development. He noted that these challenges are further exacerbated by the migration of skilled academics, which depletes the intellectual capital of many African universities.
The D-8 Secretary-General also highlighted the continent’s widening technological divide. He lamented that while digital transformation is redefining higher education globally, many African institutions remain unable to fully participate due to unreliable internet connectivity and limited access to modern digital tools. He said these limitations restrict opportunities for virtual learning, distance education, and participation in global academic networks.
Despite these challenges, the Secretary-General praised Unilorin’s commitment to academic excellence, noting that several of its specialised research centres align closely with D-8’s development goals. He mentioned the University’s Sugar Research Institute, which he said has the potential to enhance the sugar value chain within D-8 member states through innovation in crop cultivation, processing, and by-product development.
He referenced a recent agreement between Nigeria’s National Sugar Development Council and SINOMACH of China for a sugarcane project capable of producing one million metric tonnes of sugar annually, a development he said Unilorin is well-positioned to support through research and training.
Similarly, Ambassador Imam highlighted the Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre of Unilorin as a vital partner in D-8’s drive to boost Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). He disclosed that the D-8, in partnership with the Nigerian government, has concluded plans to launch a D-8 SME Centre in Abuja, to be hosted by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). He expressed optimism that the Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre could play a significant role in cross-border capacity-building for SMEs.
The conference was part of activities commemorating the institution’s 50th anniversary.
Earlier, in a welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, stated that the first International Conference of the Centre for International Education was one of the University’s major events marking its 50th anniversary.
The Vice-Chancellor, who titled his speech “Reinventing Multidisciplinary Scholarship for Sustainable Global Education,” advocated for research efforts in global education to embrace a multidisciplinary approach, which he described as the hallmark of scholarship in the 21st century.
The Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence explained that the multidisciplinary approach involves integrated, interconnected, and interdependent models or methodologies that can bring scholars together across disciplines to promote original, incisive, developmental, and sustainable research efforts. He added that global collaboration will break down traditional models while embracing community engagement with stakeholders.
Additionally, the Director of the Centre for International Education (CIE), Professor Lateef Onireti Ibraheem, emphasised the urgent need for education to transcend local boundaries and evolve into a truly global experience.
Professor Ibraheem noted that while the vision of globalised education is compelling, the path towards its realisation is marked by significant challenges. These include unequal access to educational opportunities, institutional resistance to change, restrictive policies, and concerns about the long-term sustainability of internationalisation efforts. However, he regards these challenges as potential opportunities for innovation, meaningful partnerships, and leadership that can help institutions overcome structural limitations and advance educational equity.
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