Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the United Kingdom Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonny Baxter, have commended the founder of Westerfield College, Michael Dosunmu (a Nigerian and former teacher) for establishing the UK branch of the college.
The duo said the move would not only strengthen the age-long bilateral relations between Nigeria and UK but also expand the frontier of Nigeria’s education sector and its global acceptability.
Sanwo-Olu and Baxter gave the commendation at the official launch of the UK campus of the college at the British Residence in Lagos, on Thursday.
According to governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, “I am excited by the birth of Westerfield College in the UK.
ALSO READ: Unite for better development, JAMB boss tells Nigerians
“The achievement is not just a testament to the vision and dedication of the founder of the school but a shining example of the global impact of education and collaboration and also a proof that Nigerian education is making strides internationally.”
The governor described the new campus as a bridge connecting cultures, ideas, and aspirations, reinforcing the belief that education can serve as a tool for global unity and progress.
He congratulated the founder and the entire faculty members on the milestone, wishing them well.
On his part, the British envoy, Baxter, noted that the bilateral relations between the two countries cut across several sectors including education as one of the major areas of partnership.
He declared that the bilateral trade between both countries has surpassed £7.5 billion “and continues to grow.”
He noted that the UK is home to several Nigerian businesses, reinforcing the importance of “mutual trade benefits.”
According to him, trade is not just about UK businesses coming to Nigeria; it is also about Nigerian businesses establishing a presence in the UK.
“That is why today’s event is so exciting,” he stressed
The deputy high commissioner later told Nigerian Tribune in a chat that the British High Commission would not deny giving any eligible Nigerian who wants to go to study at Westerfield College visa, saying the process would be the same with those going to UK-owned schools.
He however maintained that diplomatic and trade relations between Nigeria and UK would continue to foster prosperity, innovation, and cooperation, pointing out that UK is committed to deepening its ties with Nigeria also in energy, financial services, and infrastructure.
In his presentation, the founder of the college, Mr. Michael Dosunmu narrated the humble begging of the college from Yaba, Lagos in 2011 and then expanded to Victoria Island, and Kano in 2019, Abuja in 2022, and now in the UK.
He noted that the UK campus of the college is not to depopulate its Nigerian campuses but rather to complement its existing educational offerings, listing a range of programmes, including pre-university courses in business, science, and engineering the campus is designed to offer.
Other offerings, according to him, include English language upskilling courses, leadership training, a summer camp for students aged 10 to 17, and a pre-master’s programme for graduates seeking academic refinement before enrolling in UK universities.
He stated that even though the tuition fees at the UK campus would be a bit higher than that of Nigeria’s campuses, the quality of education and facilities would be the same already established standards.
Some of the alumni of the college and second cohort at Yaba Campus including Ololade Olanipekun and Ayodele Oluwaropo, shared their testimonials concerning the huge impact and contributions the college has made on them.
Oluwaropo, who spoke online through zoom, for example, said the college is instrumental to who he is today as a doctoral student.
He congratulated the founder and all the faculty members on the additional campus, expressing optimism for its expansion across continents.
