British Council Tasks Nigerian-UK Alumni on Innovation, Social Change
Kuni Tyessi in Abuja
The British Council has called on Nigerian alumni of United Kingdom institutions to use their expertise in shaping the future of Nigeria-UK relations, particularly in driving economic growth, supporting democratic institutions, fostering technological innovation, and tackling the global challenges that affect everyone.
In her welcome address at the alumni-UK symposium yesterday in Abuja titled, ‘The Role of UK Alumni in Shaping Nigeria–UK Relations’, British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, said this has become expedient in an era defined by rapid economic shifts and complex global challenges.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Catalysts of Influence: Driving Global Innovation and Social Change’, Lever said in such times, the true currency of global influence is not just economic might; it is human capital, collaborative ideas, and shared values.
She reiterated that for decades, the UK has been a destination of choice for Nigeria’s brightest minds and through the Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarship programmes, as well as the hundreds of thousands of Nigerians who have independently chosen to study at UK institutions, the transformative power of international education has been witnessed globally.
“As graduates of UK institutions, you are the ultimate ambassadors of this soft power. When you apply the knowledge gained in the UK to drive agricultural reform, when you leverage your international networks to scale a Nigerian technology startup, or when you use your voice to advocate for justice and social inclusion, you are actively strengthening the ties between our nations.
“You transform the individual goodwill of your educational experience into collective, tangible impact. You are the living, breathing bridge between the UK and Nigeria, translating shared global knowledge into targeted local action.
“These scholarships have never simply been about acquiring a degree. They are about expanding horizons, challenging perspectives, and building a lifelong network of global leaders. The impact of these programmes is visible every day across Nigeria.”
Standing on the same page with Lever, the keynote speaker and Founder, Detail Dispute Lawyers, Isaiah Bozimo, said an alumni network should not be judged first by how impressive its members are, but by what their influence enables others to do.
Noting that the alumni carries qualifications, experience, access, and credibility which has immense value, he emphasised that their real value does not lie in what is said, but in what the qualifications enable the alumni to do for others, for institutions, and for the country.
He said, “Yes, that is a harder test. But it is also the right test. We gather here as people who have studied, worked, and led across borders.
“Alumni leadership must rest on contribution. And in a period like this, contribution has to be serious. It has to be disciplined. It has to be visible in what we build, the doors we open, and the systems we leave stronger. That is the real work of alumni leadership in a changing world.
“Alumni leadership is disciplined, public-minded action that turns education, access, and credibility into results that improve life beyond one’s own circle. That definition asks more of us than status. More than success.”
