A college is hoping to tie up a deal to help give training to help tackle unemployment in a troubled part of west Africa.

The UN has approached Loughborough College for its help in setting up a training centre in Nigeria's oil-rich but crime-ridden Niger Delta.

It wants the college's advice on setting up the centre in a state where poor education standards lead many young people to turn to crime.

The centre will specialise in training for the oil and gas industries and courses will include automobile electrics and electronics technology, motor vehicle mechanics, diesel plant fitting and welding and fabrication – all of which are speciality subjects at Loughborough College.

College principal Jim Mutton said: "A lot of people have asked how on earth did we get involved in this. It's down to the UN seeing what we do here and matching it up with what it hopes to achieve over there.

"We opened our new technology building about 18 months ago and will share the plans with them as well as teaching experience.

"We won't be sending anyone out there because it is still a dangerous area, but we will be happy to receive staff and students over here."