Nile University of Nigeria hosted the Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology of The Gambia, Hon. Prof. Pierre Gomez, as part of a National Universities Commission (NUC)-coordinated study tour to strengthen institutional learning and knowledge exchange in higher education.

Selected as one of the universities for the official engagement, Nile University provided the Gambian delegation with first-hand insight into its approach to academic delivery, innovation, digital learning, entrepreneurship and student development.

The Gambian delegation was led by Hon. Prof. Gomez, accompanied by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms Isatou Auber. Also participating in the visit were Engr. Suleiman Adebayo, Deputy Director/ Team Lead, University-Industry Linkage Division at the National Universities Commission (NUC), alongside other officials from the NUC.

In his welcome speech, the Vice-Chancellor of Nile University of Nigeria, Professor Dilli Dogo, FNAMed, DFMC, described the visit as an important opportunity to deepen collaboration among African higher education institutions and strengthen the exchange of knowledge and practices capable of advancing the continent’s university system.

“We are honoured that Nile University was selected as one of the institutions to host this distinguished delegation. Universities have an important role to play in Africa’s development, and that requires us to look beyond our individual institutions and countries to build partnerships, exchange knowledge and learn from one another. We welcome opportunities such as this to contribute to the continued advancement of higher education across the continent,” Professor Dilli Dogo said.

The visit built on longstanding educational ties between Nigeria and The Gambia, strengthened over the years through academic exchanges, scholarships, capacity development and the contributions of Nigerian academics to The Gambia’s university system.

Speaking during the visit, Hon. Prof. Gomez described Nigeria as a longstanding and valued partner in The Gambia’s higher education development, acknowledging the significant contribution Nigerian academics have made to the country’s university system.

“It is always good to come back to our roots because Nigeria has been a trusted partner in our educational journey for many years. Most of the faculty members in our universities are Nigerians, and the founding Vice-Chancellor of the University of The Gambia was also Nigerian. That reflects the depth of the relationship our two countries have built over the years,” he said.

He added that the study tour was designed to enable the delegation to examine institutional systems and practices that could provide useful lessons as The Gambia continued to strengthen its higher education sector.

A key part of the visit was a guided tour of Nile University’s facilities and learning ecosystem. The delegation visited the University’s state-of-the-art Virtual Reality room, which supports experiential learning in business, leadership and decision-making.

The tour provided insight into the University’s integrated approach to teaching and learning, executive education, digital learning, innovation and entrepreneurship, and student support, as well as its continued investment in creating an environment that prepares students for the evolving demands of the workplace and society.

The visit also provided a platform for broader discussions on institutional development and the evolving role of African universities in strengthening academic quality, expanding research and innovation, embracing technology-enabled learning and equipping graduates with the knowledge and capabilities required to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.

By hosting the delegation, Nile University reinforced its commitment to advancing higher education through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and partnerships that extend beyond institutional and national boundaries, while strengthening its contribution to developing future-ready graduates and the wider transformation of higher education in Nigeria and across Africa.

The delegation, before departure, solicited cooperation and collaboration with the Education Sector in The Gambia and promised to forward workable proposals for MoUs towards the advancement of the newly established University of Science and Innovation and Technology in The Gambia.

They believe Nile University has what it takes to support a workable partnership with the University of The Gambia.