A significant gathering of international education professionals will take place in Lagos next month as the TINE Africa Summit & Awards brings together hundreds of stakeholders in the education sector. The two-day event is scheduled to be held on December 11 and 12 at Ikeja GRA and Victoria Gardens, Alausa, Lagos.
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A Platform for Dialogue and Representation
The summit, organised by Laprinxo Consult, arrives under the theme “Shifting Lenses: Re-centring African Students’ Voices in International Education.” According to the organisers, the aim is to shift focus away from treating African students as passive beneficiaries of international education. Instead, they intend to place them centre-stage as active contributors and co-creators shaping the future of transnational learning.
In the words of the statement released ahead of the summit, global economic pressures and evolving immigration policies have not dampened the drive for African participation in global education. But as the sector continues its expansion, the voices of African students, counsellors, institutions, and educational agents must be amplified.
The organisers stress that the summit is more than just another industry meetup. It is a deliberate push to reframe narratives around African educational mobility. The goal is to use collaboration and networking among educators, recruitment agencies, institutional representatives and policymakers to advocate for inclusive policies that respect and amplify the perspectives of African learners.
Growing Recognition: Record-high Nominations
This year’s edition of the TINE Africa Summit & Awards has recorded remarkable growth in interest and participation. Nominees for the awards have surged to 1,803—up from 1,182 in 2024 and 473 in 2023.
Across twenty categories, a total of 21 winners will be named, including one special non-voting lifetime-achievement award. The awards are intended to recognise individuals, institutions and organisations that have demonstrated significant positive impact in advancing opportunities for African students in international education.
Beyond the awards ceremony, the event will feature educational programming, networking opportunities, and a celebration of excellence. The evening will culminate in the “COUTURE DE L’AFRIQUE, Celebrating the Best of Africa” dinner night, a showcase combining high fashion, entertainment and fine dining, highlighting achievements across Africa’s international education landscape.
Why This Summit Matters
In recent years, the international education sector in Africa has grown steadily, with more students seeking study-abroad opportunities and educational institutions expanding their reach. Nonetheless, many African students remain marginalised in global conversations about education, often struggling to have their perspectives heard when policies and programmes are designed.
By foregrounding students as central actors, the summit aims to shift power structures in favour of inclusivity and representation. The gathering offers a rare chance for stakeholders across different levels—school agents, institutional reps, counsellors, policymakers and students themselves—to interact, share perspectives, and coordinate action.
This is particularly relevant now, given the economic headwinds and changing global immigration landscapes that could restrict access to international education. For many students, the summit could provide a vital opportunity to influence policy, share lived experiences, and advocate for fairer access.
Furthermore, the surge in award nominations reflects growing enthusiasm and recognition of contributions across the sector. It signals that international education in Africa is maturing, not only in scale but also in sophistication and impact.
Looking Ahead: Expectations from the Summit
As December 11 and 12 approach, anticipation is building among education stakeholders. Many hope the summit will deliver more than just talks and awards. Key expectations include:
- Creation of actionable frameworks for promoting student representation in international education policy-making.
- Growth in cross-continental collaboration between African and foreign institutions to support equitable student mobility.
- Recognition of unsung individuals and organisations contributing to education access, guidance and support.
- Enhanced networking and partnership opportunities across education agencies, schools, institutions, and policymakers.
- Greater awareness of the challenges faced by African students abroad and mobilising support to address them.
For some, the summit is more than an industry event—it is a hopeful step towards reshaping how Africa’s education narrative is told globally. If successful, it could influence policy, reshape agency practices, and open doors for more students to access quality education with dignity and recognition.
As Nigeria’s education sector continues to evolve, platforms like the TINE Africa Summit & Awards show that change is possible when stakeholders come together with a shared vision.
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