Nigeria’s Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, says, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates were committed to exploring educational opportunities available in the two countries, especially in the fields of research, scholarship, exchange of programs, and transfer of knowledge among others.
Director Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Education, Bem Goong announced this in a statement issued on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
Goong said the Minister disclosed the development recently when the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Saleem Alshamsi paid him a courtesy call in his office in Abuja.
Prof. Mamman said, Nigeria is interested in studying the development model of the United Arab Emirates which has made Dubai a global Shopping centre, adding that Nigeria stands to benefit from that model given the enormous potentials and resources the country commands.
The Minister pointed out that he admires the way and manner the United Arab Emirates had overcome the challenges of climate change and adverse weather conditions to become one of the global destinations of choice, adding that the need for the two countries to work together cannot be overemphasised.
He maintained that the world was one indivisible entity, emphasising that international collaboration was needed now, more than ever before, to make the world a better place for all.
He also used the occasion to appeal to His Excellency to help resolve the impasse surrounding the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) and flight operations between the two countries.
Earlier in his address to the Minister, His Excellency Ambassador Saleem Alshamsi, appealed to the Minister to help conclude the processes and signing of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.
Ambassador Saeed also requested the Minister to visit the UAE, adding that his country’s Minister of Higher Education was keen to meet the Nigerian Minister of Education in order to advance the educational interest of the two countries.
Reflecting on 41 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, Ambassador Alshamsi applauded the Nigerian people as very hardworking and one of the greatest talents in Africa.
