The Edo State Government and the Federal Republic of China are exploring avenues for institutional collaboration aimed at deepening the exchange of knowledge across education, culture, and technology.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, on Wednesday, received a high-level delegation from Fujian Jiangxia University, China, led by the President of the institution, Ling Qzdan, during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Benin City.

According to a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the delegation expressed keen interest in partnering with the Edo State Government to advance bilateral cooperation between academic institutions in both regions.

Welcoming the delegation, Okpebholo said his administration had long anticipated such an engagement, stressing that meaningful partnerships with nations like China were critical for sustainable knowledge transfer and capacity development.

He said, “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 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.”

Okpebholo noted Edo’s cultural depth and expressed optimism that China would benefit from the richness of its heritage, just as the state stood to gain from China’s technological advancements.

“This partnership, particularly the agreement between Fujian Jiangxia University and Ambrose Alli University, 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,” he said.

Ozdan said that the purpose of the visit was to formalise 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, shared similar facilities and academic disciplines, which provided 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.

“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” Mr Qzdan noted.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, described the partnership as a strategic milestone that would reshape the future of education in the state.

“The purpose of this visit is to facilitate institutional collaboration between Edo State and China.

“By September, we will begin finalising the documentation to initiate a technical agreement between Fujian Jiangxia University and our own Ambrose Alli University. This is a remarkable step forward,” he said.

The commissioner reaffirmed the governor’s commitment to ensuring that every Edo child was equipped to compete globally, adding that reforms were 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,” he added.