U.S. Mission has entered into an educational agreement with UNILAG, LASU, and PAU, to mark 50 years of partnership between American city, Atlanta and its Nigerian counterpart, Lagos.

Atlanta-based Spelman College, known for educating women of African descent, signed an agreement with the University of Lagos, Lagos State University and Pan-Atlantic University to fund and support women education with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The signing ceremony took place at UNILAG campus.

“By forging strong partnerships, we create opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in meaningful exchanges, learn from each other, and co-create solutions to shared global challenges,” said President Helene Gayle of Spelman College, who also doubles as a member of the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement.

Vice-chancellor Folasade Ogunsola of UNILAG hailed the collaboration as a step in the right direction that “benefits both of our two countries,” according to a statement by U.S. Mission on Friday.

U.S. Consul General Will Stevens said the agreement evidenced U.S. commitment to “explore educational partnerships” between both nations.

“This is a giant step forward,” Mr Stevens said. “Bringing U.S. and Nigerian universities closer together to explore educational partnerships is one of our key Mission priorities.”