UK education giants eye Nigerian expansion following trade mission

A high-level United Kingdom delegation has concluded a week-long education and skills trade mission to Nigeria. The visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in school development and technical training.

The mission, organised by the UK Department for Business and Trade, held between April 19 and 23, 2026, across Abuja and Lagos, bringing together leading UK private schools, skills providers and education institutions with Nigerian stakeholders.

According to a statement by Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, the engagement focused on expanding in-country delivery of education, establishing UK-standard schools in Nigeria, and developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training systems aligned with industry needs.

The delegation met with Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, in Abuja, where discussions centred on strengthening institutional collaboration and deepening education partnerships between both countries.

The mission also followed recent high-level engagements during Nigeria’s state visit to the UK in March, which included key education discussions.

The UK government has identified Nigeria as one of five priority markets under its International Education Strategy, an initiative designed to expand global education partnerships and position partner countries as regional hubs for quality learning.

British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, with delegates of the UK–Nigeria Skills and Schools Trade Mission at the Doing Business in Nigeria session in Lagos on Wednesday. Photo credit: British High Commission.

Speaking on the outcome of the visit, British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter said the mission underscored the strong interest on both sides to deepen collaboration in education and skills development.

“The UK and Nigeria share a deep and longstanding relationship, and opportunities in education are one of its most exciting frontiers,” Baxter said.

“This mission has demonstrated the strong appetite on both sides to deepen collaboration in education and skills. By bringing together UK schools and skills providers with Nigerian partners and policymakers, we are laying the foundations for long-term partnerships that support Nigeria’s education priorities and strengthen skills aligned to industry needs,” he added.

In Lagos, the delegation held further engagements with potential investors and partners, while also visiting British curriculum schools to assess teaching and learning environments.

Head of International Education at DBT Sarah Chidgey described the mission as a practical demonstration of the UK’s education strategy in action.

“This mission is a perfect example of the International Education Strategy being implemented, building on multiple two-way visits and the strong relationship between the UK and Nigeria,” she said.

Chidgey noted that collaboration between both countries had grown steadily in recent years, particularly since her previous visit to Nigeria in 2022.

The delegation included representatives from leading institutions such as Harrow International School, The King’s School Canterbury, Whitgift School and Pearson, among others.

Officials said the mission ended with a strong pipeline of follow-up activities, including memoranda of understanding discussions, targeted meetings and agreed next steps between UK and Nigerian partners.

The initiative is expected to boost Nigeria’s education sector by enhancing access to quality schooling, strengthening skills development and improving alignment between training and labour market demands.