Internationalization of University Education in Nigeria: Responding to New Realities and Global Relevance

Abstract

Internationalization of education has to do with the imparting of knowledge, skills and values associated with universal appeal and application. It is a strong instrument for diversification of goals and objectives of tertiary institutions. Presently, there is competition among tertiary institutions to internationalize. Nigeria should not be left behind. This paper reviewed recent literatures on the rationales and modes of university internationalization. Using Knights four generic dimensions which indicated the shortcomings inherent in the activities, competencies, ethos and processes in the internationalization of university education, the following strategies were used to guide Nigerian universities on the part to global relevance. They include, adequate funding, regular ‘tune-up’ of academic staff through seminars, workshops and conferences of international standard, encouraging ‘classrooms without walls’, open education resources, cross-campus research collaboration and developing partnership models where Nigerian academics can partner with their foreign world-class counterparts.

Key words: Internationalization, New realities, global relevance, university education.