Nexford charges Nigerian Students to brace up for Leadership role

The Chief Executive Officer of Nexford University, Fadl Al Tarzi, has urged Nigerian graduates to be prepared for leadership positions.

He said this during the 2023 graduation ceremony of the university in Lagos, where he rated Nigerian students high in research and academics, noting that Nigerians are future leaders and changemakers of Africa.

He said, “You have learned how to learn, and it is your responsibility to continue this journey of learning, to quench your thirst for knowledge, and to positively impact your world.

 “Remember, Japa is not the only path to success. In this era of remote work, jobs are transcending geographical boundaries, and Africa with its youthful population, is poised to be the cradle of tomorrow’s global workforce. There is an undeniable truth in this, Africa is where tomorrow’s workforce will come from.”

He also encouraged the graduates to shatter stereotypes and elevate the standard of Nigerian talent on the global stage.

The Nexford CEO explained; “Our ancestors have traversed continents, shaping economies and societies. Nigerians in the United States are, on average, twice as educated as the average American. It is time for you to ascend to leadership, redefine perceptions, and engrave your marks on societies, whether here in Nigeria or beyond your borders.

“If your journey takes you to foreign lands, remember, you are the architects of perceptions, the ambassadors of our values. Make those lands realize the privilege of hosting Nigerian talent. Showcase your superior skills and let the world witness the value you add, and the legacy you create.”

A former Minister of Education, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, at the event said academic institutions like Nexford would help Nigeria fix human capital deficiencies.

Ezekwesili, a board member of NXU, noted that the university is one of the global institutions that have visibly given the skills that are necessary for the 21st century.

 “If we increase our Gross Domestic Product and we spread the sources of our GDP, what we will have is inclusive prosperity, so we must have graduates of this kind from as many institutions as possible,” she noted.

A valedictorian, James Ogo-Oluwa Osinowo, in his speech, narrated how Nexford University inculcated resilience, teamwork and perseverance in the learners.

He also noted that the university exposed students to “possibilities and opportunities”.

 Osinowo said, “Immediately I completed my MBA in January 2023, the following month saw me receive an offer for the role of Group Finance Manager. And it’s just the beginning. One of the important lessons we’ve learnt during our time here is the power of resilience. We’ve faced demanding assignments and tests, grueling projects and sleepless nights, yet we persevered.”

The 2023 graduation event of the university witnessed master classes, a career fair with Nigeria’s leading companies, a start-up demo and an exhibition in Lagos State.

Also, five Nigerian students were awarded during the graduation ceremony. Among them was James Ogo-Oluwa Osinowo who emerged as the Valedictorian of the Year for Class 2023.

Others awarded were Adeshile Oluwabusayo who emerged the Best Peer Mentor for BBA (Undergraduate Degree) and Monsuru Adebayo Popoola, Best Peer Mentor MBA (Graduate Degree).

While Daniel Oreofe was also awarded the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Sonter Samuel James emerged as the Outstanding Brand Ambassador.

During the start-up pitches and exhibition, seasoned experts like Iyin Aboyeji of Future Africa, and Napa Onwusah, Leader for AWS Startups in Africa among others tutored the graduates.

The master class sessions centred on building and scaling a startup, designing a fulfilling career, becoming globally relevant, sales skills for founders and succeeding in a remote job environment.