The Edo State Government and The People’s Republic of China are exploring avenues for institutional collaboration aimed at deepening the exchange of knowledge across education, culture, and technology.
Governor Monday Okpebholo received a high-level delegation from Fujian Jiangxia University, China, led by the President of the institution, Mr. Ling Qidan, during a courtesy visit to Government House, Benin City.
The delegation expressed keen interest in partnering with Edo State Government to advance bilateral cooperation between academic institutions in both regions.
Welcoming the delegation, Governor Okpebholo remarked that his administration had long anticipated such an engagement, emphasizing that meaningful partnerships with nations like China are critical for sustainable knowledge transfer and capacity development.
“We are delighted to welcome you to Benin City; one of the oldest cities in Africa and the world, rich in cultural heritage and history,” the governor stated.
“News of your visit brought us great joy, as this collaboration with China is one I have earnestly looked forward to. It presents an opportunity to exchange knowledge across education, culture, science, and technology. Learning is a lifelong pursuit, and the transfer of knowledge is central to our administration’s vision for transformation.”
Governor Okpebholo further emphasized Edo State’s cultural depth and expressed optimism that China would benefit from the richness of Edo’s heritage, just as Edo State stands to gain from China’s technological advancements.
“This partnership, particularly the agreement between Fujian Jiangxia University and Ambrose Alli University (AAU), is of immense value to us. We are excited by the possibilities and believe that this collaboration will be mutually beneficial. We look forward to sharing our culture with China and gaining insights from your educational and technological systems.”
In his remarks, Mr. Ling Qidan, President of Fujian Jiangxia University, explained that the purpose of the visit was to formalize cooperation and strengthen institutional ties in the domains of education, culture, technology, and scientific research.
He observed that both institutions: Fujian Jiangxia University and Ambrose Alli University, share similar facilities and academic disciplines, which provide a strong foundation for long-term collaboration.
“This visit is intended to consolidate a robust partnership between Fujian and Benin City, particularly in education and cultural exchange,” Mr. Qidan noted.
“We believe that through joint initiatives and leadership dialogue, we can significantly deepen collaboration and foster academic excellence. We are here to seek meaningful cooperation with Edo State’s educational sector and to promote mutual learning and understanding between our people.”
Speaking at the event, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu described the partnership as a strategic milestone that will reshape the future of education in the state.
“The purpose of this visit is to facilitate institutional collaboration between Edo State and China,” he explained. “By September, we will begin finalizing the documentation to initiate a technical agreement between Fujian Jiangxia University and our own Ambrose Alli University. This is a remarkable step forward.”
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Governor’s commitment to ensuring that every Edo child is equipped to compete globally, adding that reforms are underway to dismantle systemic barriers to education.
“We are committed to building a globally competitive student population grounded in science, technology, and life skills. The Governor has made it clear that Edo children must not only participate in but lead innovation.
The Chinese are global leaders in infrastructure and technological advancement. Their integration into our educational ecosystem will not only bolster learning outcomes but also stimulate broader economic development.”
The visit marks a significant step toward international academic and cultural cooperation and reflects Edo State’s commitment to global engagement in education and human capital development.
Signed:
Fred Itua,
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.
Wednesday, 18 June, 2025.
