Ahmadu Bello University is among the 14 African universities currently participating at the 2026 Japan-Africa Universities Exchange Meeting (JAUM) holding in Japan.
A statement from the Public Affairs Directorate Office of the VC said the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, is representing the university at the meeting that began at Kyoto International Conference Center in Japan today – Saturday, 3rd October, 2026.
Read also: VC Inspects Renewed Hope Initiative ICT Hub
The theme of this year’s meeting is ‘Co-Creation of Knowledge for a Sustainable Future: Deepening Japan-Africa University Partnerships’.
The gathering aims to facilitate dialogue among university leaders and explore models of cooperative collaboration for future joint research.
It is also to discuss concrete directions for cooperation, thereby strengthening relations between Japanese and African universities.
The purpose of this year’s meeting is on the strength that the challenges facing society such as climate change, energy, healthcare, and food security are becoming increasingly complex.
Equally, it is in consideration that universities are expected not only to advance research as centres of knowledge creation, but also to cultivate the next generation of leaders and contribute to society.
Read also: COAS TRANSFORMS ARMY EDUCATION SYSTEM, UPGRADES COMMAND SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE
It is further understood that collaboration among universities in Japan and Africa holds significant potential to address global challenges through co-creative partnerships and to contribute to the realisation of a sustainable society.
JAUM recognises that efforts toward international circulation of talent are essential.
This is particularly in the participation of early-career researchers in international joint research, academic exchange, and the establishment of long-term collaborative research frameworks.
A total of 14 universities from nine African countries joined 19 Japanese universities and three related organisations, including Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and the World Bank Group at the meeting.
The African countries whose universities are attending the meeting are Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.
Read also: Governor Inuwa Yahaya Arrives Maiduguri for North-East Governors’ Forum Meeting
The Vice-Chancellor is in accompaniment of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof Raymond B Bako and the Centre Leader, Africa Centre of Excellence on Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Prof YKE Ibrahim.
Others in the Vice-Chancellor’s entourage are Prof Mohammed Nasiru Shuaibu and Prof Emmanuel Balogun all from the Department of Biochemistry.