The Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, His Excellency Honourable Anderson N. Madubike (middle) with FNU’s Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr William May (right) and Professor Paul Iji.

The Fiji National University (FNU) recently hosted the Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, His Excellency Honourable Anderson N. Madubike while he was on a courtesy visit to the country.

The Nigerian diplomat and his entourage were met by FNU’s Acting Vice-Chancellor Dr William May and the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (CAFF) Professor Paul Iji at the Koronivia campus.

During the meeting, HE Madubike was provided with the history of the Fiji National University, including information on the different campuses, study programmes in both Higher Education (HE) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Research and Innovation, capital development and student numbers.

The Nigerian envoy was also briefed on the university’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as that FNU recognises the immediacy of the climate emergency, and the need for systemic change, and has placed environmental sustainability as an all-encompassing theme in its Strategic Plan 2021–2026.

“We were pleased to host the high-level Nigerian delegation and I believe that the meeting was beneficial to both parties. We are optimistic that through the Nigerian High Commission we will be able to start discussions and establish partnerships with similar tertiary institutions for mutual benefit,” said AVC Dr May.

In his response, HE Madubike said his mission believes in building bridges with Nigeria as a hub for trade in Africa.  He emphasised that collaboration with Pacific regional institutions, including tertiary education centres, would be of mutual benefit. 

He added that Nigerians are all over the world, including Fiji, working and making significant contributions in various professions. He acknowledged the warmth of the Fijian people and culture, adding he was pleased to visit FNU and in doing so also meet a distinguished Nigerian academic Professor Iji.

Hon Madubike advised that his mission would be organising business meetings in the region, to share opportunities with stakeholders in the areas of mining, education, agriculture, technology and tourism. HE Madubike informed the FNU delegation that Nigeria would be willing to help if such assistance was needed. 

Prof Iji thanked the High Commissioner and his team for the visit adding FNU was looking forward to advancing partnerships in areas of agriculture and research.

“I believe this is an important step for the university to establish working relationships with institutions in the African Union. For me, I know that Nigeria has a thriving agriculture industry and we can tap into areas such as research and perhaps student exchange,” said Prof Iji.

“We already have a few staff from Nigeria and other African countries already working at FNU and this places us at an advantage and hopefully we can work on establishing long-term partnerships.”

Hon Madubike was in Fiji to submit his papers of credence to the President of the Republic of Fiji His Excellency Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere and to meet with relevant stakeholders in the country.