The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) have entered into a five-year partnership aimed at strengthening research, capacity building, policy engagement and practical interventions in migration and global studies.
The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Centre of Excellence in Migration and Global Studies (CEMG&S) of NOUN and the Migrants and Refugees Unit (MRU) of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.
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The agreement was signed at the Secretariat’s headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, represented by the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Sonnie J. Oniye, described the partnership as a significant milestone in efforts to address the complex challenges associated with migration.
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He said the collaboration would strengthen research and knowledge exchange while creating opportunities for capacity development and evidence-based interventions in migration and global studies.
According to him, the partnership would also provide a platform for both institutions to leverage their respective expertise and experiences in developing practical responses to migration-related challenges.
The collaboration is expected to deepen engagement between academia and relevant stakeholders, while supporting policy discussions and initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for migrants and refugees.
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Through the five-year agreement, NOUN and the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria are expected to pursue joint research, capacity-building initiatives and policy engagement, with a focus on translating knowledge into practical interventions.
The partnership highlights the growing importance of collaboration among academic, religious and development institutions in addressing migration challenges and promoting sustainable, evidence-based solutions.