British Council Celebrates Nigeria’s Top UK-Educated Innovators and Changemakers
The British Council will host the **Study UK Alumni Awards** on 28 February 2026 at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The awards aim to recognise exceptional Nigerian alumni of UK universities whose work has delivered measurable impact across society, business, science, and the creative industries. The ceremony underscores the British Council’s dedication to strengthening educational links between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
The Study UK Alumni Awards are a global initiative celebrating international leaders who have leveraged their UK education to promote innovation, social progress, and institutional development. In Nigeria, the awards highlight the enduring value of UK higher education and the influence of alumni networks in shaping both national and global outcomes.
Donna McGowan, Country Director, British Council Nigeria, stated: “The Study UK Alumni Awards shine a spotlight on outstanding Nigerian UK alumni who are transforming their communities and industries through the knowledge and networks gained from their UK education. Their achievements also demonstrate the lasting impact of UK–Nigeria educational collaboration. We are proud to celebrate these leaders and to continue supporting them as they impact their communities.”
Award Categories and Nominees
The 2026 awards feature four categories: Social Action, Culture and Creativity Business and Innovation, and Science and Sustainability. Each category includes three nominees whose achievements reflect the diversity and depth of UK alumni impact.
Under Social Action, nominees include Joshua Alade, a Chevening scholar who studied at the University of Bradford; Kola Alapinni, a graduate of the University of Essex; and Precious Ebere, also a Chevening scholar who completed studies at Cardiff University. Their work spans areas such as public policy reform, human rights advocacy, community development, and access to essential services.
In Culture and Creativity, nominees are Yemisi Sophie Odusanya, a graduate of the University of Birmingham; Foluso Agbaje, who studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science and Loughborough University; and Adanna Ifeoma Enwezor, who completed studies at the University of Leeds. Through literature, visual arts, performance, design, and media, they have expanded cultural dialogue and strengthened Nigeria’s creative sector.
The Business and Innovation category features Dimeji Sofowora, who studied at the University of Leeds and Queen Mary University of London; Sesi-Oluwatoyin ORERE, a graduate of the University of Wolverhampton; and Folajimi Akinla, who studied at Queen Mary University of London. Their work demonstrates leadership in enterprise development, technological advancement, and economic growth.
Under Science and Sustainability, nominees include Ademola Adelowo Adenle, who studied at the University of Oxford, University of Nottingham, and University of Sussex; Abdulazeez Ahmed, a graduate of University College London; and Dr May Stow, who completed studies at the University of Birmingham. Their contributions address areas such as climate resilience, public health, renewable energy, and applied research.