Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, CEO, Human Capital Africa (third right) having a handshake with the graduate Class of 2024. With her are Fadl Al Tarzi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nexford University (second right) and Oghogho Inneh, Country Director for Nexford in Nigeria (right) at the event held on Saturday at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
………Let’s solve problems, prioritize skills—-Ezekwesili tells graduates
……..Bring positive change,influence better society – Peter Obi urges Nigerian youths.
Emmanuel lkpeama
Nexford University (NXU), a next-generation online university based in Washington DC, America has graduated a total of 1200 students with seven students awarded for being outstanding in academics and character during its 2024 graduation ceremony.
Speaking at the event held on Saturday at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Fadl Al Tarzi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NXU commended the graduating students for their quest for knowledge and skills to compete globally.
Tarzi who described Nigerian students as resilient said they valued education which has distinguished and placed them higher across the world, urging the 2024 graduates to showcase their superior skills to the world that will change the world
He said, “We are really proud of our Nigerian students. Nexford will continue to help Nigerian students bridge skill gap to be able to fit into the real world job market place globally.
“We are excited that over 75 per cent of our students have achieved their goal of investment with the quality of the education and the value Nexford has afforded them.”
“Nexford University has offered AI specialization for the past five years, integrating it into all our programs. Today, nearly 40% of our graduates have studied AI,” Al Tarzi explained.
“AI may displace many jobs, but Nigeria, with its large market, can capitalize on AI to solve problems, accelerate research and development, and connect Nigerian talent to the global stage.”
“If your journey takes you to foreign lands, remember, you are the architects of perceptions, the ambassadors of our values. Make those lands realise the privilege of hosting Nigerian talent. Showcase your superior skills and let the world witness the value you add, and the legacy you create.”he stated
He shared the vision behind Nexford, which aims to enable global economic mobility without the need for people to leave their home countries.
The keynote speaker,in his address, Mr Peter Obi urged the graduates to influence change for a better society and make meaningful contributions to the economy.
“You have acquired more than anybody can acquire. If people in other countries go through the experience you pass through here, they won’t even pass. So go out there and influence change in the society that you live in.
“Don’t go about thinking about only making money. Go check anybody that makes meaningful wealth, they do so by creating value, by giving themselves out to serve the society. It is for you to help solve problems in the society.”he stated.
Addressing the graduands, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, stressed on the need for Nigerian youths to embrace acquisition of the skill set of the modern-day job market.
Ezekwesili, a board member of NXU, noted that the job market is fast-changing, saying Artificial Intelligence will further revolutionize how work will be done globally.
“Whosoever you’re we want to see an objective solution that has come from you, because you got the best of skilled education. That’s what we pride ourselves for. This is skilled education that you’ve achieved and it’s the 21st century skilled education.
“So, solve a problem and let your name be attached to that solution. It will be important. The fact is that when you go before board rooms these days, people don’t care about the certificates you’ve brought. They care about the complex situations that you can fix.”she submitted.
In her goodwill message,Mrs Bola Adesola,Chairman Eco Bank PLC congratulated the 2024 graduands stating that their success today is at a result of their hard work, determination and resilience, while urging them to lead the desired change and ignite their future by inculcating whatever they have acquired from Nexford University.
She went further to commend Nexford University for revolutionizing higher education by naming a greater socio and economic mobility across the world.
Speaking to newsmen on the 2024 graduation, the Nexford Country Director, Oghogho Inneh, noted that the graduands emerged from various programs, which include Undergrad – BBA, Post Grad – MBA, MSDT, MSDA and MSE, noting that the MSE was launched last year, with potential to attract more uptakes.
According to Oghogho, the MBA program (1606) has the most graduates in the class of 2024 followed by the BBA program (141).
Oghogho said the Class of 2024 represents a dynamic and inspiring cohort of learners from around the world, united by their ambition to excel in their careers and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
“The class has embraced Nexford’s focus on workplace-relevant skills. Many have already applied their learning to solve real-world challenges in industries such as technology, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and business management,” she added.
She went further to describe the University as a game changer in higher education bringing online learning to student’s homes and enabling them to earn US degree without leaving their country.
Also speaking,the former minister for Trade and investment in 2015 and Chairman African Capital Alliance,Dr Okechukwu Enelamah emphasized on the importance of technology in driving societal transformation.
He noted that Nexford University is one of the global institutions that have visibly given the skills that are necessary for the 21st Century and he is very sure that Nexford would certainly help Nigeria to fix its human capital deficiencies.
The Commissioner for Innovation, Science & Technology, Lagos State Mr Olatubosun Alake commended Nexford University for providing the necessary platform for higher technology outcome in Lagos State,noting that technology can change the economy, little wonder the state government is constituting a number of efforts in ensuring that technology thrives in Lagos State.
While encouraging the graduands to solve problems and become part of the solution change makers in the society.
Investigator news reports that NXU, which prides itself for skill-education awarded seven Nigerian students for their outstanding academic performance and demonstrated character during their course of study.
Christopher Chukwuka Otakpor Outstanding Volunteer Award in the BBA, while Kayode Olaitan Owoyemi won the Outstanding Volunteer Award – MBA, for Outstanding Brand Ambassador Awards category, Abdul Shakur Haruna from Ghana was awarded while Christian Arimoku Ebhoma was awarded Outstanding Brand Ambassador – Nigeria and Best Peer Mentor Award goes to Egeneyemi Adetayo
Meanwhile, with a loud applause, Oluwasegun Anuoluwapo Ogundiran, who finished with an impressive a 4.0 CGPA was awarded as the Valedictorian of the Year for Class 2024.
Speaking to investigator news,Oluwasegun Ogundiran narrated how Nexford University inculcated resilience, teamwork and perseverance in the learners especially himself,he stated that the University exposes students to possibilities and opportunities in their careers and other legitimate endeavours to climb the lader of success.
Investigator news gathered that the graduation ceremony was well attended by Mr Peter Obi, the Former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Presidential Candidate of Labour Party,Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, CEO, Human Capital Africa; Mrs. Bola Adesola Chairman, Ecobank Nigeria; Jennifer L. Scott, Ph.DChief Academic Officer, Nexford University.
Other include Commissioner Olatubosun AlakeCommissioner, Innovation, Science & Technology, Lagos State; Mrs. Olamidun Ogundoyin Founder, Sooyah Bistro; Former Country Director, Nexford University and Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah Chairman, African Capital Alliance, parents, guardians and well wishers of the 2024 graduands.
Highlights of the event was the presentation and conferment of degrees to the graduands and light performance to thrill the audience.
It will be recalled that Tarzi Fadl founded Nexford University in 2018, with a vision to enable greater social and economic mobility through high-quality, affordable education.
His vision stemmed from having built four startups employing over 500 people across 10 emerging markets. Throughout his entrepreneurial journey he witnessed how lack of access to affordable, high-quality education impacts societies across the world.
