UNILAG Consult, Africa-China School Partner to Boost Tech, Business Skills

By Celine Nwaeze

The Africa-China Business and Technology School (ACBTS) has partnered with University of Lagos (UNILAG) Consult, the consultancy arm of the institution, to promote technology, entrepreneurship, innovation and business development in Nigeria.

The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Lagos, with both organisations seeking to strengthen knowledge exchange and create greater opportunities for Nigerians to benefit from China’s technological and business experience.

The Africa Advisor to ACBTS, Dr. Olalekan Babatunde, said the initiative would connect African talents, businesses and institutions with opportunities in technology, innovation and international business.

He noted the school would offer training and professional programmes in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) in robotics, electric vehicles and business, as well as opportunities for international certification and business visits to China.

Babatunde also stressed the importance of Africa developing its own technological capacity rather than depending solely on imported solutions.

The Managing Director of UNILAG Consult, Prof. John Oyefara, said the partnership would expand the university’s international collaborations while placing greater emphasis on practical skills and enterprise development.

According to him, the initiative would help Nigerians move beyond consuming foreign technology to acquiring the knowledge needed to adapt, maintain and develop such technologies locally.

Oyefara added that small and medium-sized businesses could gain exposure to Chinese business practices, E-commerce, import and export procedures and light manufacturing.

ACBTS ICT developer and digital transformation expert, Paul Fashanu, said the partnership could also help address some of Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges by connecting innovators with technology, networks and possible funding opportunities.