Astana International University (AIU) had the honor of welcoming His Royal Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi — the Ooni of Ife and spiritual leader of the Yoruba people, the largest ethnic group in Nigeria with a population of around 40 million.
The visit took place as part of the monarch’s participation in the Astana International Forum, where he served as a speaker in a special session titled “Kazakhstan–Africa: Opening New Horizons of Cooperation”, held for the first time in the forum’s history.
During the official meeting at AIU, His Majesty highlighted that Nigeria is currently the most populous country in Africa, with a population exceeding 235 million. With a median age of just 18.1 years, Nigeria is also one of the youngest nations in the world. This demographic feature creates a pressing need for large-scale solutions in the field of education. The Nigerian government is actively seeking international partners interested in providing educational opportunities for its youth. Key priorities include the development of academic mobility programs, the implementation of dual-degree initiatives, and the expansion of language education. In this context, the visit of His Majesty marked an important step toward discussing practical mechanisms of cooperation and potential agreements between Astana International University and Nigerian institutions.
During the meeting, the President of AIU presented the university’s history, provided detailed information about the faculty, international programs, and academic achievements. Special emphasis was placed on internationalization and multilingual education. According to the Rector, international students at AIU have access to instruction in Kazakh, English, Russian, and Chinese — both through traditional formats and modern digital tools.
AIU currently brings together students from 12 countries, and the agreement with Nigerian representatives will become the first step for Nigerian students to join the university’s global academic community.
“We sincerely believe that education is a bridge between cultures and continents. The visit of such a distinguished leader as His Royal Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is a symbol of mutual respect and the beginning of a new partnership in the field of higher education,” noted the Rector of Astana International University.
