About NHEF 2020

In a much more technology-driven and connected world, where the increasing economic importance of innovation, skilled labour force and students diversity are changing the dimensions of higher education institutions’ responsibilities, there is an overarching need to periodically bring together, in one place, people and businesses, whose taxes fund the higher education sector, government and academia to dialogue extensively.

Over the last 30 years, a lot has changed across the world, in every sense. If we must respond adequately to the continual sweeping changes taking place before us and prosper as a nation, our entire education sector – higher education system in particular – must play a leading role in driving the required cultural, social and economic transformation that Nigeria needs.

The sad reality is that Nigeria’s higher education system currently lacks the capacity to respond to today’s challenges.

That Nigeria’s higher education system in the last 30 years and more, especially  in relation to what it was in its glory days and in reference to the best systems in the World ( even in Africa), depicts an unfortunate situation is a nationally accepted conclusion.

An urgent, constructive, broad-based and sustained action is required to put our higher education system back on track.

National Higher Education Forum 2020, building on the success of the previous editions will bring into special focus three broad issues: Competitiveness, Endowment and Partnerships.

And to further the broad objectives, it will equally seek to find answers to the following important questions:

One, “what demands and expectations” does Nigeria really have of its higher education institutions, and are these institutions responding to those demands and expectations?

Two, introspectively, what do the institutions see as their role in the evolving social, cultural and economic lives of Nigerians, and what are their binding constraints?

Three, what systems and mechanisms are the institutions using to examine how effectively they are discharging their roles?

Four, does Nigeria have a comprehensive economic competitiveness strategy upon which a higher education competitiveness strategy can be built on?

Principal Stakeholders

To seek answers to the above questions, NHEF 2020 will assemble over 30 high profile, knowledgeable speakers and about 600 delegates from key higher education stakeholders:

  • Academia
  • Government
  • Industry
  • Philanthropic organisations
  • Civil Society
  • Media

Who should attend?

Delegates from government – Federal and State Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

From academia: Chief Executives of Higher Education Institutions, Deputy Vice Chancellors, Pro-Chancellors, Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments, Other Decision Makers in HEIs, Finance & Bursary, Registrars. 

Others include: Heads of Research Institutions, Industry Leaders, Human Resource Managers, Media Professionals, Non-profit Organizations, CEOs, Researchers, Innovators, Technology Solutions & Service Providers, Equipment Suppliers, Publishing Houses, Advancement Offices, Finance and Asset Management Companies, etc.

Why attend the Forum?

  • Be a part of the biggest annual gathering of education and innovation thought leaders in Africa.
  • Gain insights on evolving trends in research and innovation, emerging industry opportunities, new policies, etc.
  • Contribute in shaping the conversations at the various high impact events at the Forum.
  • The Forum offers delegates a good opportunity to derive inspiration, get empowered and equipped to function better in their various areas of practice.
  • Individual and institutional delegates also have good opportunity to peer-review their individual and institutional progress.

You are invited to join us at the Forum and contribute in shaping our future and the future of our children.