By Felix Khanoba
In a bid to foster academic excellence and research collaborations, the University of Abuja and Nasarawa State University, Keffi, have emphasised the importance of strengthening ties between Nigerian universities and their counterparts in the United States.
This call was made during a week-long academic exchange programme involving the University of California College of Law in San Francisco and the law faculties of the two Nigerian universities.
The programme, funded by the United States Embassy in Abuja, aimed to promote knowledge sharing and enhance educational standards through cross-border collaborations.
The Vice-Chancellors of both Nigerian universities lauded the partnership, highlighting its potential to cultivate a culture of academic excellence and provide valuable exchange opportunities for students and faculty members from both nations.
The event commenced at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, from July 1-2, 2024, featuring prominent US legal experts including Professor Jessica Vapnek and Senior Assistant District Attorney Demarris R. Evans. Activities included faculty interactions, training sessions for lecturers, workshops, class observations, and a public lecture titled “Plea Bargaining and Sentencing Guidelines in the Context of Restorative Justice: The US Experience.”
Notable attendees at the public lecture included the Attorney General of Nasarawa State, representatives of the Chief Judge and Emir of Keffi, multiple high court judges, and lawyers from the Nigeria Bar Association.
The programme continued at the University of Abuja from July 3-4, 2024, with a public lecture on “Combatting Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in Developing Economies.”
University of Abuja’s acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aisha Sani Maikudi, stressed the critical role of legal professionals in addressing these global challenges, which threaten national security and economic stability.
Experts at the lecture called for collaborative efforts to tackle money laundering and terrorism financing, underscoring that these issues are not unique to developing nations. Attendees included legal and financial crime experts, representatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
Throughout the events, participants highlighted the need for comprehensive electronic case management systems to improve pre-trial detention management and reduce inmate numbers in Nigerian prisons. They also urged anti-corruption institutions to partner with university law clinics to raise awareness on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) issues.
The exchange programme will continue later this year with Nigerian lecturers visiting the University of California College of Law in San Francisco, further supported by the US Embassy in Abuja.
This ongoing collaboration is expected to yield significant benefits for the participating institutions and contribute to the global fight against financial crimes.
