S/Arabia Varsities Alumni Opens Forum, Strengthens Educational Ties with Nigeria
The Forum of Saudi University Alumni in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Its Neighboring Countries has opened in Abuja, drawing participants from across West Africa to deepen educational and cultural cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Organized under the auspices of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education, the three-day event is hosted by King Khalid University in partnership with the University of Tabuk and Najran University.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Saidu Ahmed, and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja, Mr. Saad bin Fahd Al-Marri, attended the opening ceremony.
In her address, Dr. Ahmed expressed appreciation to the Saudi Government for its continued support to international students through scholarship programs that promote global learning and cultural exchange. She described the forum as a timely platform for strengthening academic and research ties between Saudi and Nigerian institutions.
“Such initiatives foster collaboration, innovation, and mutual growth in education and scientific research,” she stated, commending the organizers for their commitment to the success of the event.
Mr. Al-Marri, in his remarks, highlighted the progress of the Kingdom’s education sector and reaffirmed its alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, a national roadmap focused on developing human capital and promoting global academic partnerships.
He emphasized the importance of the ‘Study in Saudi Arabia’ platform in attracting international students and expanding the Kingdom’s role in global education.
According to him, Saudi Arabia’s scholarship programs are designed to produce graduates capable of driving development in their home countries while serving as ambassadors of knowledge and cross-cultural understanding.
Al-Marri thanked the Nigerian government for hosting the event, praising the cordial relations between both countries and stressing the forum’s role in advancing joint educational goals.
The ongoing forum features six academic sessions and 21 speakers, with over 400 alumni of Saudi universities from Nigeria and neighboring countries in attendance.
The initiative seeks to maintain engagement with Saudi-trained scholars, highlight their contributions to their communities, and reinforce sound Islamic values. It also aims to expand research collaboration and knowledge exchange between Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and other African nations, reflecting a shared vision for educational excellence and partnership.