The University of Lagos Alumni Association, Lagos State Branch, has announced plans to honour outstanding corporate leaders and organisations for their contributions to educational development at its upcoming “Dinner with the Corporate World”.
The event will celebrate 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, and Hon. Tubosun Aruwe, among others.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Chairman of the Lagos Branch, Comrade Adedeji Owoeye, said the initiative reflects the association’s commitment to closing resource gaps in Nigeria’s higher education system. He noted that the dinner was conceived to encourage stronger collaboration with the corporate world, as the government alone cannot meet the financial needs of public universities.
“When you engage the corporate world, you must build relationships that benefit both the town and the gown,” Owoeye said. “Our aim is for organisations to support the needs that shape students’ daily learning experiences.”
He explained that the association’s renewed drive began after the last Annual Shofoluwe Lecture, where alumni were urged to identify and fund priority areas in the university. The group then met with deans and heads of departments to understand their most pressing needs.
“We realised the needs were many, but so was the willingness to help,” he said. “Although we initially planned to honour about 1,500 contributors, we decided to focus on those whose support directly addressed the needs presented by the departments.”
Owoeye added that the process fosters accountability and encourages companies to adopt departments or specific projects as part of their corporate social responsibility.
He called on alumni, corporate partners and the public to support the initiative, describing it as a fresh step towards sustainable investment in Nigeria’s higher education system.
Also speaking, Vice-Chairman Sade Balogun said, “When we work together with a shared purpose, we can transform education. This initiative proves that collaboration between alumni, institutions, and industry is both possible and powerful.”
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