Success means different things to different people. For Dr Lilian Ajayi-Ore, it means returning to where it all started — and opening doors for the next generation.
The Holy Child College, Ikoyi alumna awarded scholarships to 30 students of the school, reinforcing what she describes as a long-standing family commitment to education and service.
She explained that the gesture aligns with a legacy she grew up with, noting that her brother, Sean Ajayi of the Sean & Tarra Ajayi Foundations, has also awarded scholarships for several years.
“My organisation has always provided scholarships. We gave 30 students who are part of the GC4W Leadership and Innovation Hub scholarships as well. My brother has also been doing the same. We grew up in a household where my mom always says there’s goodness in helping people,” she said.
The scholarships were presented under her Global Connection For Women Foundation (GC4W), an organisation she said has existed for over ten years and has received the Best Manhattan Charity award in New York for nine consecutive years.
She reiterated that GC4W’s mission is to connect, educate, and empower women and girls worldwide by creating leadership opportunities, scaling women in business, and supporting young girls in school.
Beyond financial support, Ajayi-Ore also unveiled a Leadership and Innovation Hub at the college, following the renovation of a hall upgraded to meet modern technological standards.
The hub is equipped with two smart televisions, Meta Glasses, Amazon Alexa, and 10 computers — resources designed to expose students to global learning tools and digital possibilities.
Explaining her motivation, she said the initiative was driven by a desire to give back to a school that played a foundational role in her life. She described the hub as a personal investment in knowledge capacity building and said the moment was particularly meaningful, reflecting the deepening of her relationship with God during her time as a student.
The event also featured the launch of her latest book, The Power of the Learning Mindset, co-authored with Marshall Goldsmith. She explained that the book goes beyond skill acquisition and focuses on reimagining possibilities and actively transforming one’s future.
“The book centres on the concept of the learning mindset: willingness, intentionality, and nurturing,” she said, adding that it encourages young leaders and executives to examine their growth honestly — asking questions such as, “Am I the right person for this role? Do I have the skill set required? Am I demonstrating leadership prowess in action?”
According to her, the book includes assessments, reflective questions, real-life examples, and guided reflection points forming what she described as a learning prowess map to help individuals identify priorities, unlearn outdated behaviours, and build new habits.
Her mother, Amina Labinjo-Ajayi, also spoke at the event, emphasising the importance of giving back to one’s alma mater and society. She encouraged members of the diaspora to support educational development through scholarships and infrastructure improvements that raise academic standards.
“I am proud of what my daughter has accomplished. Giving back is a value we have passed on. She has done this work consistently for over ten years in the United States and various parts of the world, and now she is doing the same at home,” she said, noting that empowering communities remains her core mission.
Also present were the Director of Education, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr. Jerome Oduntan, who represented Archbishop Alfred Martin, and the Administrator of Holy Child College, Rev. Sr. Christiana Olagunju, who described Ajayi-Ore’s contribution as unique and overwhelming, stating that while alumni groups had supported the school in the past, her singular investment stood out.
For students watching from the classroom seats she once occupied, the message goes beyond ceremony. It reflects a larger idea — that education is not only a ladder for personal success, but also a bridge back to community impact.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.