Nigerian Entrepreneur Appointed University Chancellor in Scotland

Peter Uzoho

A Nigerian female entrepreneur, best-selling author and passionate supporter of women in business, Yekemi Otarui, has been appointed Chancellor-elect of University of the West of Scotland (UWS).

Otarui, a geologist by training with extensive experience in oil and gas, is a native of Ekan Meje, near Omuaran in Kwara State, Nigeria.

According to a Scottish online medium, she will take up the role of chancellor of the Scottish university on September 1, succeeding the incumbent Chancellor, Dame Elish Angiolini.

Otarui, is the youngest and the only black on the Board of Interface, the Scottish government’s agency coordinating the academic institutions in the industry.

The Nigeria business expert, whose book has been a best seller on Amazon in her category for three years, holds four degrees and is said to have considerable industrial experience in engineering and marketing.

She is also a co-founder and Executive Director at Doqaru, an Aberdeen-based sales and marketing consultancy.

The UWS’s chancellor-elect is also a Board Member of Interface, which connects a wide range of organisations from national and international industries to Scotland’s universities, research institutes and colleges, matching them with academic expertise to help them grow.

Described as a social media expert, Otarui, is also known for her innovative use of platforms such as LinkedIn.

As chancellor, she will hold formal powers to confer degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions, and will represent UWS at key events as an advocate and dignitary.

Excited by the appointment, Otarui said: “I am honoured to have been appointed chancellor-elect of University of the West of Scotland, following in the footsteps of a remarkable individual in Dame Elish Angiolini.

“We are all living through challenging times, and higher education plays a vital role in society and for our economy. I eagerly look forward to being part of the university, as it continues to carry out world-class research and knowledge transfer initiatives such as in the areas of healthcare and sports science.”

Commenting on her appointment, the Principal and Vice-Chancellor at UWS, Prof. Craig Mahoney, was quoted as saying that Otarui’s values aligned with those of the university.

Mahoney said: “Yekemi’s values very much align with those of UWS, from her passion for advancing equality, diversity and inclusion to her commitment to enterprise, and her appointment is reflective of our strategic mission to make a positive difference to wider society.

“Yekemi is a remarkable example of entrepreneurship and a tremendous role model for our students and wider university community. I am delighted to welcome her to the UWS family.

“I would also like to pay tribute to Dame Elish Angiolini, who has been an outstanding chancellor and ambassador for the university. I am deeply grateful for the committed and inspirational role she has played in our UWS community.”