Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and Central South University (CSU), China, have agreed to reactivate and expand their 3+2 double deg...
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and Central South University (CSU), China, have agreed to reactivate and expand their 3+2 double degree partnership, a flagship initiative in engineering education that began in 2017 under the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework.
The collaboration allows students to spend three years at ABU and two years at CSU, graduating with degrees from both institutions. The first batch of 45 ABU students joined the programme in 2018. However, the partnership faced a temporary halt around 2021 due to the global COVID-19 lockdown.
The decision to revive and expand the programme was reached during a virtual meeting held on Friday, 19 December 2025. The renewed agreement includes staff exchange programmes, joint research supervision, and other collaborative academic initiatives, with potential expansion into medical and life sciences, renewable energy, and computer engineering.
ABU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, who led a six-member delegation to the online meeting, described the collaboration as a "flagship model for engineering education in Nigeria." He expressed gratitude to CSU for the "highly productive virtual meeting" and highlighted the renewed enthusiasm on both sides to strengthen academic ties.
Members of the ABU team included Prof. M.I. Umar-Buratai, Director of the Directorate of Advancement and International Education; Prof. J.M. Kaura, Dean of Engineering; Prof. B.H.S. Amartey, Head of Civil Engineering; Dr. Ahmed Zakaria, Assistant Director of International Education; and Dr. Mohammed Ashiru, Coordinator of the 3+2 Double Degree Programme.
The CSU delegation was led by Vice-Chancellor Li Zhihong and included senior officials from its Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges, School of International Education, and various engineering faculties.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the renewed collaboration exemplifies the enduring partnership between Nigeria and China in higher education and underscores ABU's commitment to providing global learning opportunities for its students.
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