World-Bank-Nigeria Collaboration on Tertiary Education Development in Nigeria: A Review Paper
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Authors
-
-
Niyi Jacob Ogunode
Department of Education, University of Abuja, Nigeria -
Ajape Temitope Solomon
Mewar International University, Nigeria -
Jacob Angel Emobweseh
Mewar International University, Nigeria
-
- Keywords:
- Bilateral Collaboration, Tertiary, Education, World-bank
- Abstract
- The study explored the World Bank–Nigeria collaboration on tertiary education development in Nigeria. The study showed that World Bank–Nigeria collaboration on tertiary education development in Nigeria have led to infrastructure and quality improvement, research and innovation development, capacity building and institutional governance, skills development and employability and equity, access, and inclusion in Nigeria’ tertiary institutions. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the Federal Government of Nigeria should ensure that all World Bank-supported tertiary education projects are effectively aligned with national education policies such as the National Policy on Education and the Ministerial Strategic Plan. This will ensure that international interventions complement local priorities rather than create parallel systems. Establishing a national coordination framework for managing external assistance in tertiary education would also help synchronize donor-funded programs with domestic initiatives, ensuring continuity and sustainability beyond project cycles. To maximize the impact of World Bank funding, Nigerian tertiary institutions must strengthen their internal governance and management systems. This includes improving transparency in resource allocation, adopting performance-based funding mechanisms, and promoting accountability among administrators. The World Bank–Nigeria partnership should prioritize increased investment in research and innovation as catalysts for national development. This includes expanding initiatives such as the Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) to more universities, encouraging interdisciplinary research, and facilitating stronger linkages between academia and industry. By fostering university–industry collaboration, Nigerian institutions can produce research that directly addresses national challenges in sectors such as agriculture, energy, technology, and public health. To build a globally competitive tertiary education system, Nigeria should invest more in digital learning and the integration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) into teaching, research, and administration.
- References
-
1. Federal Ministry of Education, Education for Change: A Ministerial Strategic Plan (2018–2022), Abuja: FME, 2018.
2. National Universities Commission, Annual Report on Tertiary Education Development in Nigeria, Abuja: NUC Publications, 2022.
3. F. Muhammed, International Organizations and Funding Model in Nigeria, Abuja, 2019.
4. N. J. Ogunode, C. N. A., E. Bitrus, and S. Kauna, “China and Nigeria Cooperation on Tertiary Education Development,” American Journal of Open University Education, vol. 1, no. 6, 2024.
5. N. J. Ogunode, E. O. Ayeni, and O. Ogwuche, “Contributions of international organization to the development of education in Nigeria,” Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Holistik (JIPH), vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 345-356, 2023.
6. N. J. Ogunode and O. J. Offia, “Examining China-Nigeria Cooperation on Development of Education in Nigeria,” International Journal of Development and Public Policy, vol. 4, no. 2, 2024.
7. N. J. Ogunode, C. U. Ukozor, and R. C. Agbo, “International organization programmes implementation in Nigeria: Problems and ways forward,” International Journal of Global Sustainable Research (IJGSR), vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 133-142, 2024.
8. N. J. Ogunode, “Benefit of Digital Literacy for Academic Staff and Students of Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria,” American Journal of Alternative Education, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 43-53, 2025.
9. P. Okebukola, Revitalizing Higher Education in Africa through Partnerships: Lessons from the World Bank–Nigeria Cooperation, Lagos: Global Education Review, 2021.
10. O. M. Oladele, B. F. Komolafe, and A. R. Ogundele, “The impact of World Bank and other international organizations on higher education system in Nigeria,” International Journal of Education & Literacy Studies, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 77-82, 2019.
11. Proctoredu, “Tertiary Education - Definition & Meaning,” 2023. [Online]. Available: https://proctoredu.com/glossary/tertiary-education
12. Top-hat, “Meaning of Tertiary Education,” 2023. [Online]. Available: https://tophat.com/glossary/t/tertiary-education/
13. World Bank, Africa Centres of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) Project Overview, Washington, DC: World Bank Group, 2020.
14. World Bank, Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project Appraisal Document, Washington, DC: World Bank Group, 2019.
15. World Bank, Science and Technology Education Post-Basic (STEP-B) Project Implementation Report, Washington, DC: World Bank Group, 2007.
16. World Bank, “The Global Partnership for Education and the World Bank: The Facts,” 2018. [Online]. Available: http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/education/brief/the-global-partnership-for-education-and-the-world-bank-group-the-fact
17. World Bank, Constructing Knowledge Societies: New Challenges for Tertiary Education, Washington, DC: World Bank, 2002.
18. World Bank, “World Bank Increases Support for Higher Education and Economic Transformation,” 2019.