In a landmark move poised to redefine graduate employability, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has cemented a strategic partnership with the Canadian Education Council (CEC) through a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Signed on campus earlier this week, the agreement establishes the CEC International Career Centre at OAU—a pioneering hub designed to equip students with globally competitive skills and direct pathways to international employment.

The collaboration, hailed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire as “a quantum leap for Nigerian higher education,” directly addresses the critical gap between academic training and evolving workforce demands. The Centre will deploy cutting-edge career development frameworks, including: CEC-Employment License Test (CEC-ELT), a globally recognized certification validating technical and professional competencies; CEC Internship Test (CEC-IT), to streamline student placements with vetted multinational employers; and the Skill-Enhancement Labs, an advanced training in AI-driven sectors, sustainable development, and cross-cultural communication. 

“This isn’t just about certificates; it’s about creating a generation of solution architects for global challenges,” emphasized Dr. Adeniyi John, CEC’s Country Director. “OAU graduates will now enter the world with credentials that transcend borders.” 

This initiative aligns seamlessly with OAU’s Strategic Plan, aimed at positioning the University as Africa’s epicenter of innovation and employability. The plan prioritizes international partnerships, sustainable resource mobilization, and technological adaptation—addressing challenges through alternative investments.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire affirmed that such collaborations are “non-negotiable” for elevating University onto global rankings. “Strategic alliances like OAU-CEC directly respond to our need for Nobel-calibre research and industry-ready graduates,” he noted.

Central to the MoU is the integration of OAU into the CEC VettedTalents Job Portal—a curated digital ecosystem connecting rigorously assessed students and graduates with verified employers worldwide. OAU will now serve as Nigeria’s national hub for pre-qualified talent across engineering, health sciences, management, and emerging technologies. 

The timing is strategic. Recent weeks have seen the University amplify its thought-leadership footprint, hosting high-impact events like the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture featuring FCT Minister, His Excellency Nyesom Wike on “Nigeria of Our Dreams” and the Award of Excellence in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 

With 100+ departments, 15 faculties and two colleges, OAU’s legacy includes West Africa’s first academic programmes in pharmacy, chemical engineering, and electronics—a tradition now amplified by this partnership. As Professor Bamire asserted, “From Ife to Ontario, we’re scripting a new narrative: African talent isn’t seeking opportunities; it’s creating them.”  The International Career Centre will become operational very soon, with inaugural certification cycles opening to 5,000 students annually.