UK varsity alumni rally support for Nigeria’s devt

The University of Leicester's Nigerian alumni have officially launched their chapter in Abuja, signaling a renewed commitment to contributing to Nigeria's development agenda. This initiative harnesses the collective strength and expertise of graduates who have excelled in various fields, aiming to translate their academic experiences into tangible societal impact.

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You enriched the life of the university when you were studying there, and you continue to do so after you graduated. You are citizens of change, and as such, you have gone on to excel in your professions, in business, in public service, and in your communities.

Phil Dalby, Director of the Future Students Office, emphasized that Nigerian alumni significantly enrich the university's legacy and are uniquely positioned to drive positive change back home. He highlighted the alumni's roles as "citizens of change" who have achieved success in professions, business, and public service, underscoring their potential to influence national progress.

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We are setting ourselves the ambitious target of reaching a £100 million campaign as we go into our second century.

The establishment of the Nigerian chapter aligns with the university's broader vision of strengthening global alumni engagement, particularly as it approaches its second century. The university has set an ambitious fundraising target, and the Nigerian graduates are encouraged to support this vision, drawing inspiration from Leicester's heritage as a living memorial established after World War I.

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Our alumni are very, very important to us at Leicester. Even after leaving, we remain in constant communication. We expect them to demonstrate the good things they took from Leicester back to wherever they are, to show how to be hardworking, dedicated, and honest citizens of change.

Alumni like Mathew Adepoju, Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, and Commodore Abdulhakeem Oyebode, shared powerful testimonies. They credited their time at Leicester for instilling strong ethics, standards, and a resilient problem-solving outlook, which have been instrumental in their career advancements and ability to excel within their organizations, even amidst Nigeria's infrastructural challenges.

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Solving challenges is one of the reasons for coming back home. The ethics and standards we learned at Leicester made us stand out in our organisations.