Four Nigerian UK alumni emerged winners at the fourth Study UK Alumni Awards that was held at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos on February 4, 2023. The award celebrates UK higher education and the achievements of UK alumni all over the world. The Alumni Awards are a truly global award: more than 1,200 applications were received from alumni in nearly 100 countries, representing more around 120 UK universities. National level awards are taking place in 18 countries in 2023, including India, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, USA, and Vietnam. Applicants from all countries have been entered into the Global Alumni Awards, running concurrently to the national awards and celebrate alumni in every continent. The Global Alumni Award winners will be invited to the UK for a professional networking opportunity in late summer 2023. 

In total, 12 UK alumni in four categories were recognized for their outstanding achievements as business professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, and for their contribution to strengthening ties between the UK and Nigeria.

Recipients were selected for the four award categories: Science and Sustainability Award, Culture and Creativity Award, Social Action Award, and Business and Innovation Award.

Prof Muktar Gadanya

The Science and Sustainability Award was received by a graduate student of the University of London, Prof Muktar Gadanya. Professor Muktar, MFR is a professor of Public Health/Consultant Public Health Physician at the Bayero University/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Muktar’s work as the lead for the development of Nigeria’s National Family Planning Blueprint has contributed to the uptake of contraception and has led to a projected reduction of over 67,000 maternal and child mortalities. 

Isah Matankari

Isah Matankari, a graduate of Aston University received the Culture and Creativity Award. Isah is a performing artist and co-founder of Creative Culture, an Abuja-based edutainment start-up that produces engaging experiences and media content for Africa’s post-millennial generation. He has been instrumental in growing Abuja’s creative industry by building communities, hosting 52+ events, and creating paid opportunities for 150+ young creatives. 

Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi

The Social Action Award was presented to Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi, a graduate of Swansea University. Oluwaseun Ayodeji champions the enforcement of legal instruments to end Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) against Nigerian women and girls and provides them with holistic support services. Through her organisation, Stand To End Rape (STER), she is developing and deploying effective programs to challenge systemic social barriers that promote violence. 

Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed Falalu

The Business and Innovation Award was presented to Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed Falalu, a graduate of the University of Nottingham. In 2013, Abubakar was admitted to the University of Nottingham for MSc. Entrepreneurship. He was exposed to theoretical and practical experiences related to entrepreneurship, how to run start-up companies, marketing, and other business courses. He was invited to give a TEDx Talk on "Unknown Africa: Exploring Africa", giving him more insight to focus on his continent.