UNILAG alumni to honour corporate leaders

The University of Lagos Alumni Association, Lagos State Branch, has announced plans to honour distinguished corporate leaders and organisations for their contributions to educational development at its forthcoming “Dinner with the Corporate World”.

At the dinner, the Association will recognise notable individuals and institutions whose support has strengthened the university system. Prospective awardees include Dr Akintoye Akindele, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, Rt Hon. Mojisola Meranda, Dr Oyeyemi Ayoola, Dr Segun Oshundairo, Hon. Moyosore Adebanjo, Comrade Yussuf Kelani, Dr. Olufemi Ogunsanya, Dr. Seinde Fadeni, Mr. Folusho Phillips, Mrs. Funmilayo Oduwole, Hon. Tubosun Aruwe, and others.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Chairman Comrade Adedeji Owoeye, Lagos Branch, said the initiative reflects the Association’s commitment to bridging the resource gaps in Nigeria’s higher education system. According to him, the dinner was conceived on the understanding that the government alone cannot shoulder the financial needs of public universities.

“We all know that the government alone cannot solve the challenges facing education,” Owoeye said.

“When you engage the corporate world, you must establish a relationship that benefits both the town and the gown. Our goal is to ensure that organisations help identify and support the fundamental needs that shape students’ daily learning experiences.”

The Chairman explained that the Association’s recent intervention began during the last edition of the Annual Shofoluwe Lecture, where alumni were encouraged to contribute directly to priority areas in the university.

“We met with deans and heads of departments to understand their most pressing needs. You don’t make millions or billions and simply look away. This is about making a decisive impact on the lives of students,” he stated.

According to him, the Association requested each department to submit a breakdown of their infrastructure requirements, allowing the group to assess the university’s needs more accurately.

“We discovered that the needs were vast, but so was the willingness of people to support. Even though we initially planned to recognise about 1,500 contributors, we realised we had to focus on those whose support directly addressed the needs presented,” Owoeye added.

He noted that the process reinforces accountability and encourages corporate organisations to adopt departments or specific projects as part of their corporate social responsibility.

The Association urged alumni, corporate partners, and the broader public to join its efforts, saying the initiative represents a new chapter in sustainable support for Nigeria’s higher education system.

Also speaking, Vice-Chairman Sade Balogun, UNILAG Alumni Association, Lagos Branch, added, “When we work together with a shared purpose, we can transform education. This initiative has shown that collaboration between alumni, institutions, and industry is both possible and powerful.”