Nigeria and Tunisia have moved to boost educational collaboration, with the Tunisian government disclosing that it offers six fully funded scholarships annually to Nigerian students, though the opportunities have remained largely underutilised.

The disclosure was made by the Tunisian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohsen Antit, during a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, in Abuja on Monday, July 6. Details of the meeting were contained in a statement issued by the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.

According to the statement, Antit raised concerns about the low uptake of the scholarship scheme despite its consistent availability to Nigerian students each year. In response, Odumegwu Ojukwu assured the envoy that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would engage relevant government agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Education, to improve awareness and encourage greater utilisation of the programme among Nigerian students.

The education discussion formed part of a broader meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations between both countries. Antit congratulated Odumegwu Ojukwu on her appointment and conveyed the greetings of the Tunisian government, while proposing the revival of the Nigeria Tunisia Joint Commission as a platform for expanding collaboration across key sectors, including education.

The minister welcomed the proposal, describing the Joint Commission as a vital mechanism for promoting cooperation between both nations. She stressed the importance of creating practical opportunities for partnerships between Nigerian and Tunisian institutions and entrepreneurs through capacity building programmes.

Both countries also reaffirmed their commitment to concluding pending agreements covering several sectors, including education, alongside double taxation avoidance, defence cooperation, livestock development, legal and judicial cooperation, business promotion, technology transfer and visa free travel for diplomatic passport holders.

The two sides pledged to sustain high level engagements and work towards the early convening of the Joint Commission to advance their shared objectives, according to the ministry.