Astana
International University (AIU) had the honor of welcoming His Royal Majesty
Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi — the Ooni of Ife and spiritual leader of the Yoruba
people, the largest ethnic group in Nigeria with a population of around 40
million.
The visit
took place as part of the monarch’s participation in the Astana International
Forum, where he served as a speaker in a special session titled "Kazakhstan–Africa:
Opening New Horizons of Cooperation", held for the first time in the
forum’s history.
During
the official meeting at AIU, His Majesty highlighted that Nigeria is currently
the most populous country in Africa, with a population exceeding 235 million.
With a median age of just 18.1 years, Nigeria is also one of the youngest
nations in the world. This demographic feature creates a pressing need for
large-scale solutions in the field of education. The Nigerian government is
actively seeking international partners interested in providing educational
opportunities for its youth. Key priorities include the development of academic
mobility programs, the implementation of dual-degree initiatives, and the
expansion of language education. In this context, the visit of His Majesty
marked an important step toward discussing practical mechanisms of cooperation
and potential agreements between Astana International University and Nigerian
institutions.
During
the meeting, the President of AIU presented the university’s history, provided
detailed information about the faculty, international programs, and academic
achievements. Special emphasis was placed on internationalization and
multilingual education. According to the Rector, international students at AIU
have access to instruction in Kazakh, English, Russian, and Chinese — both
through traditional formats and modern digital tools.
AIU
currently brings together students from 12 countries, and the agreement with
Nigerian representatives will become the first step for Nigerian students to
join the university’s global academic community.
"We sincerely believe that education is a bridge between cultures
and continents. The visit of such a distinguished leader as His Royal Majesty
Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is a symbol of mutual respect and the beginning of a
new partnership in the field of higher education," noted
the Rector of Astana International University.