By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Nnenna Ukandu from Nigeria

Since the Republic of Korea and the Federal Republic of Nigeria established diplomatic ties in February 1980, Nigeria has been one of the most important friends of Korea on the African continent.

In addition to the Korean Embassy, the Republic of Korea has two important institutions located in Abuja: The Korean Cultural Center in Nigeria and the office of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The Korean Cultural Center is actively promoting cultural exchanges with Nigeria, while the KOICA office under the Embassy is serving as a focal point in coordinating Korea’s grant aid implementation in Nigeria.

The bilateral relationship between the geographical entities is a tool of cooperation, mutual development, friendship and multifarious benefits. The recent development between the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria (FCT) and KOICA comes to mind. There have been mutual benefits through the friendly association between both nations.

Recently, the Republic of Korea in collaboration with the Nigerian government constructed a school, the Nigeria-Korea model primary and junior secondary, in Abuja, Nigeria worth USD 15 million as part of efforts to improve Nigerian children’s access to quality basic education. Over 72 teachers and school administrators were trained in Korea.

The KOICA country director, Mr. Park Soon Hyun said, “KOICA hoped that the model school would become a place where talented children in Nigeria could unfold their dreams without limitations. The place where less privileged children who cannot afford buses and school uniforms would be able to meet the world through its classrooms and high-quality learning materials."

The school just started its first academic session this September. The few parents I got to interviewed told me how delighted they are to have this recent sophisticated school in such an area, and they wouldn’t have to worry over tuition fees, despite the school having an elite school standard, where the parents pay over USD 2,000 per term. They are glad they could send their children to a high brow school and could worry only for the school’s sundry expenses that are less than USD 40.

I commend the Korean government for its continuous aid in the area of development cooperation through KOICA as they have continued to make efforts to establish a solid foundation.

wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.