Egypt's ambassador to Nigeria discusses strengthening academic cooperation between Al-Istiqama University and Al-Azhar University

Written by: Mohamed Ragab 

Ambassador Mohamed Fouad received ambassador The Arab Republic of Egypt in Nigeria received a high-level delegation from the Nigerian University of Al-Istiqama, headed by the university president, Professor Abdul Hadi Sali, and including the university’s vice president and a number of faculty members, in order to explore ways to develop academic and scientific cooperation with Al-Azhar University in Cairo.

She explained Embassy The Egyptian Embassy in Abuja, through its official account on the social networking site X, stated that the meeting that brought together Ambassador Mohamed Fouad with the delegation came in the context of following up on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed between Al-Azhar University and Al-Istiqama University in 2023, which aims to enhance cooperation in various scientific and academic fields, in a way that contributes to supporting the educational partnership between Egypt and Nigeria and the exchange of experiences between the two institutions.

Egypt takes pride in its growing educational ties with Nigeria.

During the meeting, Ambassador Mohamed Fouad emphasized Egypt’s pride in the growing educational relations with Nigeria, noting the presence of thousands of Nigerian students studying in Egyptian universities in various disciplines, which reflects the great confidence in the Egyptian higher education system and its regional and international standing.

The ambassador explained that Al-Azhar Al-Sharif plays a pivotal role in Nigeria through its academic and enlightening contributions, noting that the areas of cooperation between the two sides are not limited to education only, but extend to spreading moderate thought and promoting the values of moderation and tolerance.

A shift in the nature of Al-Azhar's presence within Nigeria

He pointed out that signing the memorandum of understanding with Al-Istiqama University represents a qualitative shift in the nature of Al-Azhar’s presence within Nigeria, as this role has expanded to include university education, after years of positive influence in other educational stages.

He added that this cooperation ensures the consolidation of the moderate Azharite approach in various educational stages, and enhances the awareness message of Azhar to include university students, which contributes to preparing conscious scientific and youth cadres capable of serving their communities.

Supporting bilateral cooperation in the fields of education and culture

This meeting comes within the framework of the ongoing efforts made by the Egyptian Embassy in Abuja to support bilateral cooperation in the fields of education, culture and capacity building, reflecting the depth of the historical relations between Egypt and Nigeria and the keenness of the two countries to expand the horizons of partnership in various fields.