The British Council commemorated its 80th anniversary in Nigeria with much fanfare, marking eight decades of influencing Nigerians’ lives, businesses, and communities. Additionally, it symbolizes decades of improved ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The British Council Nigeria Office in Lagos hosted the anniversary celebration with the theme “Amplifying the Voices of the Future” to enable youth to make a difference to promote long-lasting and significant change.
Chilufya Besa, Country Director, British Council Nigeria, discussed the theme selection, saying: “Amplifying the Voices of the Future” is especially fitting for our 80th anniversary in Nigeria for several reasons: Nigeria, as you know, has one of the youngest populations globally, with nearly 70% of its population under 30. By adopting this theme, ‘Amplifying the Voices of the Future,’ we are indicating our commitment to empowering young people, who are Nigeria’s future leaders, creators, and innovators.
“The theme also aligns with our long-standing objective of equipping young people with the skills, platforms, and confidence they need to have a positive impact. Our mission is rooted in education, cultural exchange, and creating opportunities steeped in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on quality education, gender equality, and reduced inequalities. By amplifying young voices, we support global aspirations for a fairer, more inclusive future,” he added.
Continuing, he outlined some of the council’s accomplishments, saying that it has backed measures that have improved the nation’s educational system. Additionally, he noted that through its cross-sectoral work, it annually engages with thousands of students, educators, lawmakers, academics, researchers, creatives, and entrepreneurs throughout the nation.
Regarding plans, he stated; “The future for us at the British Council is quite exciting. We plan to continue supporting community-led projects and supporting systems and processes in the education sector across the primary, secondary, and higher education levels. We will also continue our capacity-building initiatives for teachers, where teachers are trained on 21st-century skills, and continue our investments in the creative sector, enhancing skills and enabling collaborations. We will also continue to provide young people access to global professional advancement right here in Nigeria.”
Simon Field, the British Council Nigeria’s Deputy Head of Mission, stated that the council has collaborated with hundreds of Nigerian artists and made it possible for them to work with their British counterparts, showcasing Nigerian creativity on international platforms and continuing to have an impact across industries.
Furthering, he had this to say: “At the heart of this partnership are the stories of individuals whose lives have been changed by the British Council’s work. We are proud of the countless young people who have become employable, business owners, job creators, and agents of change within their communities through British council-led programmes. Today, we celebrate the young people who have seized the opportunities provided by the British Council in Nigeria to access international qualifications, enhance their capacities across sectors, and proceed to create a huge impact in their communities.”
He however, restated the council’s dedication to promoting pooled resources, ideas, and information to accomplish economic progress, saying: “Today, we celebrate 80 years of achievements and look forward to an even brighter future. Together, we can continue to harness our shared knowledge, ideas, and resources to build resilient communities, drive economic growth, and inspire future generations.”
Leading business professionals from various industries who have also been empowered by the council shared their perspectives on thriving in life and business during the fireside chat, which covered the subjects of “Unlocking the Economic Potential of Young People Now and in the Future” and “Enhancing Youth Voices in Delivering Effective and Sustainable Change.” They also discussed how their lives have been affected by the council’s activities. Additionally, there was music, live painting by artists, spoken word performers, and other entertainment at the event.
Since its founding in Nigeria in 1944, the British Council has undertaken several initiatives and projects, fostering UK-Nigerian partnerships that have produced a wide range of opportunities for individuals, institutions, organizations, and communities, BrandSpur Nigeria news today reports.
