Nigeria Seeks Engineering Training Ties With Russia
Prof. Francisca Oladipo proposed collaborative postgraduate training for engineering at a forum in Saint Petersburg.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Higher Education
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Prof. Francisca Oladipo addressed the Academic Session for Russian and African Rectors to discuss strengthening engineering cooperation. She proposed utilizing shared accreditation standards to bridge the gap between engineering supply and national needs in Nigeria.
Why it matters
Oladipo emphasized that engineering training must remain central to cooperation in the minerals sector to address the mismatch between professional supply and national industrial demands. The proposal aims to align academic accreditation with international benchmarks.
Nigeria has 122 universities offering accredited engineering education out of 328 total institutions. Currently, 52 of these schools hold Outcome-Based Education accreditation, while the national registry lists 101,393 engineering practitioners.
The players
Francisca Oladipo
She is a professor who advocates for the modernization of engineering education and academic internationalization.
Saint Petersburg Mining University
This institution is a prominent Russian university that serves as a hub for mining and metallurgical engineering research.
Thomas Adewumi University
Located in Oko-Irese, Kwara, this private Nigerian institution provides specialized degree programs in engineering and technology.
The details
Oladipo suggested that Nigeria and Russia adopt a common accreditation language based on Washington Accord standards to improve cooperation. She highlighted the historic partnership behind the Ajaokuta Steel Company as a foundation for potential future collaboration in metallurgy and minerals processing.
Timeline
1979: Ajaokuta Steel Company was constructed with Soviet partners.
2012: Russia became a full signatory to the Washington Accord.
2021: Thomas Adewumi University was licensed in Oko-Irese, Kwara.
2023: Nigeria became a provisional signatory to the Washington Accord.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026: Prof. Francisca Oladipo spoke at the Academic Session for Russian and African Rectors.
Culture Shift
This proposal aligns with the ongoing internationalization of higher education standards across developing markets. It follows the framework set by the Washington Accord, aiming to bridge the gap between regional academic practices and global engineering competency requirements.
Students and faculty at Nigerian engineering institutions may see shifts toward internationally accredited curricula if the proposed partnership proceeds. These changes aim to enhance the professional mobility and training quality of future engineering graduates.
The takeaway
The move suggests a push toward standardizing engineering qualifications to improve global industrial competitiveness. For academic institutions, it highlights the importance of adopting internationally recognized accreditation frameworks to boost graduate utility.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest trends in Higher Education regarding international academic partnerships.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News Agency of Nigeria.
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