• Ancient African universities were a foundational component of the continent’s intellectual and cultural development. These organizations demonstrated the existence of advanced, organized societies that valued scholarship and the systematic pursuit of knowledge. One of the most distinguished examples was Sankore University, located in Timbuktu, in present-day Mali. During the height of the Mali Empire, Sankore emerged as a center of higher learning that attracted scholars and students from across Africa and the Middle East. The university offered a broad curriculum that included Islamic law, philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and literature, reflecting the depth and variety of African intellectual traditions.

• Before the spread of Islam, many African societies practiced animism. Animism is a spiritual belief system that highlights the presence of a supernatural force animating and organizing the natural world. The arrival and adoption of Islam presented a new educational and philosophical structure. As Islamic influence expanded, mosques developed beyond places of worship to function as centers of scholarship and instruction. These mosque-universities promoted the study of theology, science, language, and law, blending religious devotion with intellectual questions. They became important networks through which Islamic knowledge and cultural values were transmitted throughout West Africa. 

• The growth of institutions like Sankore greatly advanced African societies by increasing educational access, encouraging intellectual independence, and producing a class of scholars, jurists, physicians, and administrators who shaped rule and culture. These universities also contributed to the global development of education by promoting structured courses of study, sign systems of law, and critical thinking.

• Ancient African universities offered so much for Africa and their culture. African universities have improved over time but still continue to educate young Africans today. Ancient African universities changed the history of Africa for the better and normalized education in Africa.

Other interesting websites 

https://earthlymission.com/sankore-mosque-university-oldest-sub-saharan-africa/   <--------- More on Sankore (1st University)

https://www.livescience.com/26451-timbuktu.html                            <--------- More on the ancient city, Timbuktu