Working visit to Nigeria from 19th to 21st March 2026
Engagement with FUNAAB: Advancing the ICIR Programme
The first stop was the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), a newly designated host institution under DAAD’s In-Country/In-Region (ICIR) Scholarship Programme for the 2027–2029 funding cycle. Discussions centered on the practical implementation of the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the university’s role within the ICIR framework.
During an interactive session with university staff, the Desk Officer presented DAAD’s portfolio of opportunities for Nigerian students and researchers, including academic mobility schemes, research funding options, and training initiatives. Particular emphasis was placed on DAAD’s commitment to inclusive and transparent scholarship processes, as well as institutional capacity development.
Despite the visit coinciding with a public holiday, the strong turnout of academic and administrative staff demonstrated FUNAAB’s high level of commitment. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Olusegun Idowu, reaffirmed the university’s readiness to fully implement the programme and underscored the importance of accountability in managing DAAD-funded initiatives.
University of Ibadan: Building on a Long-Standing Partnership
The visit continued at the University of Ibadan (UI), where the DAAD delegation (Mr. Komivi Mawusime Lasmothey and Ms. Charlotte Meyn, DAAD Lecturer at UI) was joined by Professor Oliver Frör, Vice President for International Affairs, Sustainability, and Campus Development at RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau.
A courtesy meeting with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Peter O. Olapegba, highlighted the university’s long-standing academic ties with Germany and its strong interest in expanding collaboration. Discussions reflected a shared vision of enhancing global competitiveness through international partnerships.
Key areas of cooperation identified during the visit included student exchange programmes, joint research initiatives, and capacity-building measures for both academic and administrative staff. The delegation also explored pathways for outstanding students to access DAAD scholarships for study and research in Germany. Building on previous successful exchanges, both sides expressed interest in formalizing their partnership through a structured MoU.
Looking Ahead: Deepening Collaboration
Overall, the working visit proved highly productive, reinforcing DAAD’s engagement with Nigerian higher education institutions and laying the groundwork for future collaboration. Both FUNAAB and the University of Ibadan demonstrated strong institutional commitment to expanding partnerships, promoting mobility, and pursuing joint research opportunities.
The outcomes of this visit will contribute to shaping upcoming scholarship cycles, strengthening institutional cooperation, and fostering sustainable academic partnerships between Germany and Nigeria.
