In celebration of its 75th anniversary, the University of Ibadan (UI), the top university in Nigeria, has named Mr. Oliver Alawuba, the Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, as an ambassador of the institution.
The award is given to Alawuba, who is also an alumnus of the esteemed university, in appreciation of his outstanding achievements and contributions to the banking sector as well as his efforts to advance the university’s mission in corporate Nigeria.
Speaking during the visit to UBA House, Marina, the varsity’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, narrated the various feats accomplished by the university, as he noted that the celebration of UI at 75 will help galvanise interests in a participatory programme that will last a year, ending in November 2024.
The programme is expected to develop the institution and give opportunities in form of scholarships to more students.
“As part of the celebration, the university beamed its searchlight to identify our alumni that are all over the world, whose trajectory has impacted positively on the society in both the public and private sectors and who have also contributed towards bringing prestige to the university. We have identified some of our alumni, which we have designated as UI@75 Ambassadors. Some of these ambassadors are Vice President Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum and of course Mr Oliver Alawuba,” he said.
“Oliver Alawuba with over 20 years banking experience spanning private, corporate and investment banking has demonstrated the virtues in which products of the University of Ibadan are known for and we are pleased with his accomplishment. Furthermore, the university shares the Bank’s vision of Excellence, Enterprise and Execution as we look forward to a synergy between the two institutions not only in Nigeria but in Africa and across the world,” he remarked.
Alawuba took time after the award to thank the management of the institution and to urge other Nigerian universities to create partnerships with the private sector. He claims that this is significant because Nigerian universities can no longer sustain their high and dire dependency on the government.
“As a pan-African financial institution, with presence in 20 African countries and global presence in key financial capitals in the world, UBA would be readily available to champion a new stream of collaboration with our universities towards sustainable development. I am committed to contributing to the growth and development of UI”, he said.
During the visit, Professor Peter Olapegba, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration of the University of Ibadan and Chairman of UI@75, gave an overview of the events scheduled for the year-long celebration.
He also sought for private sector support to the Six-Point Development Initiative of the present administration of the University.