The Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) and the University of Maiduguri have signed a revised and strengthened Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish joint Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes in Neuroscience, marking a significant milestone in postgraduate biomedical education and research in Nigeria.
The agreement was signed by the Director and Founder of BioRTC, Professor Mahmoud Bukar Maina, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele, during a ceremony held at the Vice-Chancellor’s Office in Maiduguri in the presence of the university’s principal officers.
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The revised MoU builds on the longstanding collaboration between the two institutions by providing a formal framework for postgraduate neuroscience training, research collaboration, academic exchange and capacity building.
Under the partnership, the University of Maiduguri will award the MSc and PhD degrees, while BioRTC will lead the academic programme, research training and laboratory components of the courses.
Students enrolled in the programmes will have access to BioRTC’s advanced research facilities, including induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) biobank, confocal microscopy laboratories, genomics platforms, and specialised dementia and kidney disease research cohorts.
The institutions said the facilities constitute one of the most advanced biomedical research environments in sub-Saharan Africa and are expected to strengthen research capacity while producing highly skilled neuroscientists capable of addressing Africa’s growing health challenges.
Professor Maina said the partnership aligns with BioRTC’s mission of developing the next generation of African scientists by providing world-class scientific training within Nigeria, thereby reducing the need for students to seek advanced research opportunities abroad.
He expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Laminu Mele, and the management of the University of Maiduguri for their commitment to strengthening postgraduate science education and biomedical research through sustained institutional collaboration.
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The partnership is expected to enhance scientific innovation, expand research opportunities and contribute to the development of a globally competitive workforce in neuroscience and biomedical sciences, while supporting healthcare advancement in Nigeria and across Africa.