UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Celebrates Alumni Honoured with NYSC Presidential Award

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, on Monday, August 18, 2025, hosted two distinguished alumni recently recognised with the NYSC President’s Honours Award by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in Abuja.

The reception, held on the 10th Floor of the Senate House, was a moment of pride and inspiration for the university community.

The honourees, Peace Uzoamaka Ndukwe (Political Science, Class of 2022) and Jerry Chigozie Simon (Economics, Class of 2019), were introduced to the Vice-Chancellor by Dr. Ayodele Shittu, who highlighted their exceptional achievements. They are among six UNILAG graduates nationally recognised for outstanding community impact during their NYSC service year.

Peace Ndukwe, serving in Kano State, launched the “Whats Next Ambassadors” and Borehole Project, reaching all 44 Local Government Areas. She partnered with the Kano State Ministry of Education to introduce the “Whats Next Africa” initiative in secondary schools and provided clean water for a barracks community through borehole installation.

In Benue State, Jerry Chigozie Simon transformed sanitation at a local school in Gbagirma LGA by converting a dilapidated pit toilet into a modern water-system facility, improving hygiene and health standards for students.

Dr. Shittu also highlighted contributions of four other honoured UNILAG alumni unable to attend: Pauline Ogunleye, Ayomide Godspower Shobayo, Pearl Ambrose, and Quadri Mayokun Rabiu. Their initiatives included:

• A dental health campaign treating over 200 people in Kukyighir community, Makurdi.
• Educational support in Kibiya community, providing learning opportunities for orphans and underserved children.
• Youth outreach and health sensitisation on drug abuse and nutrition, with donations to prison inmates.
• In Rivers State, Rabiu Quadri Mayokun enrolled 26 out-of-school children, donated school uniforms, and founded an NYSC SDGs Club at AFMUC International Missionary School, Port Harcourt.

In her remarks, Professor Ogunsola praised the honourees as shining examples of UNILAG’s ideals:

"You have done more than make us proud, you have distinguished yourselves and become true ambassadors of UNILAG leadership. Your actions reflect the essence of our institution, rooted in kindness, service, and purpose. As you are inducted into our Hall of Fame, you stand as living reminders of why this university was founded. We thank you deeply and say, ‘Congratulations.’"

The Vice-Chancellor presented commemorative gifts to the visiting alumni and joined university management for photographs, rounding off a ceremony of heartfelt recognition.

The event underscored UNILAG’s enduring commitment to nurturing graduates who combine academic excellence with civic leadership and service to humanity.