The Czech Republic has announced its willingness to form a bilateral agreement with Nigeria’s University of Ibadan (UI) to develop innovative educational models aimed at fostering growth in various sectors across West Africa.
This promising collaboration was unveiled during a colloquium organized by the Czech Embassy in Nigeria in conjunction with UI, held at the university’s historic Trenchard Hall.
The event was graced by notable figures including Mr. Martin Čech, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Czech Embassy in Nigeria, and Prof. Jan Záhořík from the University of West Bohemia. UI’s Deputy Vice Chancellors, Prof. Peter Olapegba and Prof. Aderonke Baiyeroju, along with other university dignitaries, also attended the event, highlighting the high-level engagement between the two nations.
Mr. Čech emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating, “The motivation for the programme is to birth mutually beneficial collaborations that will engender development.” He further highlighted the need for dialogues that preserve diversity and strengthen development.
Prof. Záhořík, an expert in African Studies, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “I am very happy to be here at this foremost university in Nigeria, if not even in West Africa. We intend to continue with meaningful dialogues between the Czech Republic and Nigeria, exploring how we can redesign and redefine our relationship in a multi-polar global environment.”
The colloquium also featured insights from UI scholars, with Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert expressing admiration for the Czech Republic’s educational achievements.
He stated, “The Czech Republic has a 99 percent literacy rate and a $326 billion GDP. This is a country to learn from. We need new development strategies and a model that will produce results for Nigeria.”
Prof. Francis Egbokhare, another distinguished academic, highlighted the potential for Nigeria to benefit from the Czech Republic’s informal sector strategies, emphasizing the need for sustainable relationships.
Prof. Olatunji Oyeshile, who facilitated the event, urged Nigeria to adopt the Czech Republic’s inward-looking approach, stating, “The country looks inward, the law works there. Education must be in line with our needs.”
Declaring the colloquium open, Prof. Olapegba, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), underscored the necessity of collaboration, remarking, “If you want to go very far, then go with others. This platform with the Czech Republic allows for discussions on mutual benefits and overcoming challenges.”
This partnership marks a pivotal step towards educational innovation and cross-cultural collaboration, promising to bring significant developmental strides in Nigeria and beyond.