• Nigeria plans Coventry University campus in Lagos with admissions expected in late 2026

• Initiative aims to reduce outbound education spending and ease foreign exchange pressure

• Project supports skills development in STEM and technical fields

Nigeria plans to host a campus of Coventry University as part of a Transnational Education (TNE) partnership. Announced on Wednesday, March 19, 2026, by the Federal Ministry of Education, the initiative aims to reduce pressure on foreign exchange and retain education spending within the domestic economy.

The proposed campus, to be located in Alaro City, Lagos, will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in STEMM, business, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET), with degrees equivalent to those awarded in the United Kingdom. Admissions are expected to begin between the third and fourth quarters of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

The project targets a key source of foreign exchange demand. Nigeria is one of the largest sources of international students to the United Kingdom, with over 140,000 students enrolled in 2023, according to the UK Home Office. Tuition and living expenses for these students are paid in foreign currency, contributing to outward financial flows. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria shows that education-related services form part of the country’s invisible imports—alongside travel and professional services—and are settled in foreign exchange.

By enabling students to obtain UK-accredited degrees locally, the government aims to reduce the need for families to source foreign currency for education abroad. Local delivery of foreign programmes could allow part of this demand to be absorbed domestically, potentially limiting capital outflows linked to international study.

The initiative also aligns with efforts to address skills gaps in technical and high-value sectors. Expanding access to internationally benchmarked programmes in engineering, technology and vocational training is expected to support workforce development, in a context of persistent unemployment and underemployment among young graduates.

The project is being developed with support from the UK Department for Business and Trade and forms part of broader efforts to position Nigeria as a regional education hub. Beyond foreign exchange considerations, the model could support investment in education infrastructure, create jobs in the academic sector, and strengthen linkages between training and industry.

By Cynthia Ebot Takang