Nile University of Nigeria hosted The Gambia's Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Prof. Pierre Gomez, as part of a National Universities Commission (NUC) coordinated study tour aimed at strengthening institutional learning and knowledge exchange in higher education across Africa.

Chosen as one of the Universities for the official engagement, Nile University gave the Gambian delegation first hand insight into its approach to academic delivery, innovation, digital learning, entrepreneurship, and student development. Prof. Gomez led the delegation, accompanied by the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Ms Isatou Auber, alongside Engr. Suleiman Adebayo, Deputy Director/Team Lead of the University Industry Linkage Division at the NUC, and other NUC officials.

In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of Nile University of Nigeria, Professor Dilli Dogo, described the visit as an important opportunity to deepen collaboration among African higher education institutions. He noted that Universities have a role to play in Africa's development that requires looking beyond individual institutions and countries to build partnerships and exchange knowledge, adding that Nile University welcomed such opportunities to contribute to the advancement of higher education across the continent.

The visit built on longstanding educational ties between Nigeria and The Gambia, reinforced over the years through academic exchanges, scholarships, and capacity development. Prof. Gomez described Nigeria as a longstanding and valued partner in The Gambia's higher education development, revealing that most faculty members in Gambian universities are Nigerians and that the founding Vice Chancellor of the University of The Gambia was also Nigerian. He explained that the study tour was designed to allow the delegation to examine institutional systems and practices, offering useful lessons for strengthening The Gambia's higher education sector.

A key part of the visit included a guided tour of Nile University's facilities, among them its Virtual Reality room, which supports experiential learning in business, leadership and decision making. The tour also covered the University's approach to executive education, digital learning, innovation, and student support.

Before departing, the delegation sought cooperation with the Education Sector in The Gambia and pledged to forward proposals for MoUs to advance the newly established University of Science and Innovation and Technology in The Gambia, expressing confidence that Nile University could support a workable partnership.