ABU, Chinese varsity to revive, expand 3+2 double degree programme

The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and Central South University (CSU), China, have agreed to reactivate and expand their 3+2 double degree partnership initiated in 2017. The agreement followed a virtual meeting held on December 19, 2025, according to a statement by ABU’s Director of Public Affairs, Awwal Umar. Under the programme, students spend three […]

The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and Central South University (CSU), China, have agreed to reactivate and expand their 3+2 double degree partnership initiated in 2017.

The agreement followed a virtual meeting held on December 19, 2025, according to a statement by ABU’s Director of Public Affairs, Awwal Umar.

Under the programme, students spend three years at ABU and two years at CSU, graduating with degrees from both institutions. The collaboration began under the China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework, with the first batch of 45 ABU students travelling to China in 2018.

The partnership stalled around 2021 due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both institutions have now agreed not only to revive the programme, but also to expand it to include staff exchanges, joint research supervision and broader academic collaboration.

ABU’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, described the initiative as a flagship model for engineering education in Nigeria and expressed appreciation to CSU for supporting its revival.

He added that the renewed partnership would also explore cooperation in medical and life sciences, renewable energy and computer engineering.

CSU’s Vice-Chancellor, Li Zhihong, led the Chinese delegation at the meeting.