Developing a Twinning Model for Comparative Literature Exchange Between Nigerian and Kenyan Universities

Academic exchange between Nigerian and Kenyan universities offers a structured pathway for developing comparative African literature scholarship that draws on both East and West African literary traditions, yet such exchange programmes are rare and have not been systematically designed for the specific purposes of Comparative Literature professional development. This study developed a university twinning model for comparative African literature exchange between Nigerian and Kenyan universities. A partnership design methodology was employed, drawing on consultations with 10 academics from Nigerian universities (University of Lagos, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and Ahmadu Bello University) and 6 academics from Kenyan universities (University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University), alongside analysis of existing academic exchange models from South African and Ghanaian university partnership programmes. The design process identified five core exchange components: faculty research visit programme (minimum two weeks per year), co-taught virtual seminar series in comparative East-West African literature, joint edited volume series on comparative African literary topics, annual student essay competition with publication opportunities, and joint application for UK Arts and Humanities Research Council and African Development Bank research grant schemes. A memorandum of understanding template and programme management structure is provided. Expert review by eight academics confirmed the programme's strategic and academic value. The study recommends that the Association of African Universities facilitate a formal announcement of the twinning model and call for applications from eligible Nigerian and Kenyan partner institutions.

Keywords: university twinning, comparative African literature, Nigeria-Kenya exchange, academic partnership, East-West African literature