GLOBAL DEGREES, LOCAL DILEMMAS: LEGAL AND POLICY COMPLEXITIES OF FOREIGN PARTNERSHIPS IN NIGERIAN HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

The globalization of higher education has significantly transformed the structure and governance of university systems worldwide. One of its most notable manifestations is the increasing prevalence of transnational higher education partnerships involving foreign and domestic universities. In Nigeria, foreign university collaborations have expanded considerably over the past two decades, creating opportunities for academic mobility, research cooperation, curriculum innovation, and international competitiveness. However, the rapid growth of these partnerships has also exposed substantial legal and policy challenges relating to regulation, quality assurance, institutional accountability, and educational sovereignty. This study examines the legal and policy complexities surrounding foreign university partnerships in Nigerian higher education. Adopting a qualitative doctrinal and comparative research design, the study analyzes relevant statutes, policy documents, regulatory guidelines, and international instruments governing transnational higher education. The study is anchored on State Capacity Theory, which provides a framework for understanding how institutional effectiveness influences regulatory outcomes within higher education systems. Comparative insights are drawn from South Africa, India, and the United Kingdom to identify best practices applicable to the Nigerian context. Findings reveal that Nigeria lacks a comprehensive legal framework specifically regulating transnational higher education, resulting in fragmented oversight, inconsistent quality assurance mechanisms, and weak institutional coordination. The study further finds that regulatory deficiencies are largely attributable to limitations in state capacity and governance effectiveness. The article concludes that while foreign partnerships present significant opportunities for educational development, their sustainability depends on the establishment of coherent legal frameworks, stronger regulatory institutions, and effective quality assurance mechanisms. It recommends the enactment of a dedicated Transnational Higher Education Act and the strengthening of regulatory oversight to ensure that foreign partnerships contribute meaningfully to national educational objectives.