Ireland Pledges Support for African School of Economics’ Vision

Funmi Ogundare 

Ireland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Peter Ryan, has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting the African School of Economics (ASE) in its mission to promote education, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange.  

During a courtesy visit to ASE’s management recently in Abuja, Ambassador Ryan emphasised Ireland’s readiness to explore collaborations and partnerships with the university. He highlighted Ireland’s strong history of fostering local investments and creating opportunities, which he said aligns perfectly with ASE’s goals.  

“We control our freedom through education,” Ryan stated, stressing Ireland’s passion for advancing education. He also called for building bridges between young Nigerians abroad and their peers within the country.

Additionally, he proposed facilitating partnerships between ASE and universities in Ireland and the wider European Union to expand academic cooperation.  

ASE Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, welcomed the ambassador’s support, underscoring ASE’s transformational vision of producing entrepreneurs and innovators rather than job seekers. 

He stressed the need for partnerships with global institutions, emphasising ASE’s strength in research, culture, and entrepreneurship.  

ASE Country Director, Mr. Obinna Obiwulu, highlighted ASE’s commitment to addressing African challenges through cross-country collaborations and research. He emphasized the institution’s goal of providing equal access to quality education, regardless of social status, and its efforts to promote African culture through research.  

He also cited ASE’s contributions to the Hollywood film ‘The Woman King’, as a testament to its dedication to showcasing African history and culture.