Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, has expanded its regional academic partnerships following a week-long working visit to Senegal and The Gambia, held from September 19 to 24, 2025.
Led by Vice-Chancellor Professor L. F. Oladimeji, the delegation met with universities, policymakers, and education stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, research exchange, and regional integration.
In Senegal, the team visited Cheikh Anta Diop University and Supdeco Global Business School in Dakar, where both institutions agreed in principle to sign Memoranda of Understanding with Al-Hikmah University for joint programmes and faculty exchanges. The delegation also visited the historic Mosque of Sheikh Ibrahim Niyas in Kaolack, where prayers were offered for the university’s continued growth.
In The Gambia, the delegation held talks with the University of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (USET) in Banjul on a partnership to support Al-Hikmah’s new engineering programmes through access to USET’s advanced laboratories.
A significant highlight of the visit was the U6+ Consortium of African Universities Conference, which gathered vice-chancellors from across the continent to promote inter-university collaboration, research innovation, and mobility among African institutions.
The team also met with The Gambia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology to discuss scholarships, staff training, and student exchange. The minister invited Al-Hikmah’s vice-chancellor to return for a strategic forum showcasing the university’s growth as a model for Islamic private universities in West Africa.
To strengthen its regional presence, Al-Hikmah concluded plans to open a liaison office in Banjul for student recruitment and outreach. It also held discussions with the International Open University on joint degree programmes and online learning initiatives.
The visit ended with a dinner hosted by Al-Hikmah alumni in The Gambia, where graduates pledged support for promoting the university’s visibility and partnerships across the region.
