The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has announced plans to establish an International Centre for African and Taiwan Studies, in a bold move aimed at strengthening its global academic presence and deepening institutional collaboration with Taiwan.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, disclosed this in Nsukka while receiving the Taiwanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Andy Yih-Ping Liu, and his delegation during a courtesy visit to the University.

Prof. Ortuanya described the visit as a continuation of the growing partnership between UNN and Taiwanese institutions, noting that it builds on engagements initiated during his official visit to Taiwan in October 2025.

According to him, the proposed Centre is designed as a multidisciplinary platform that will promote business development, educational cooperation, and security studies, while serving as a strategic bridge between Nigerian and Taiwanese scholarship.

The Vice-Chancellor explained that the initiative aligns with UNN’s strategic vision to expand its international partnerships and position the University as a leading hub for knowledge production and policy-relevant research in Africa.

He recalled UNN’s landmark visit to Taiwan from October 19 to 25, 2025, during which he led a high-level delegation to explore practical areas of collaboration and deepen institutional ties.

Prof. Ortuanya said the current engagement represents a concrete follow-up to those discussions, translating diplomatic goodwill into tangible academic and developmental outcomes.

Ambassador Andy Yih-Ping Liu expressed appreciation to the University Management for the warm reception and commended UNN for its forward-looking approach to international academic cooperation.

He identified research collaboration, institutional development, and academic exchange programmes as key areas through which Taiwan and Nigeria, through UNN, could build mutually beneficial partnerships.

The Ambassador noted that sustained collaboration would yield long-term benefits for staff, students, and researchers, while also creating platforms for innovation and cross-border solutions to shared development challenges.

As part of his visit, Ambassador Liu is scheduled to tour the proposed site for the Centre, visit selected academic departments, and inspect innovative research and development facilities before departing the University on Friday.