The British American Open University has honoured several outstanding Nigerian leaders with leadership awards.
This landmark annual lecture and induction ceremony of the King’s College British and American Institutions recognized the roles of Nigerian leaders in governance, public service, entrepreneurship, and community development in Abuja.
The event brought together dignitaries from both the public and private sectors, including traditional rulers, political officeholders, and key stakeholders in nation-building.
It aimed to celebrate excellence and spotlight individuals who have made meaningful contributions to Nigeria and Africa at large.
Speaking at the event, Professor David Bruce Day, Vice Chancellor, said, “The awardees today are individuals whose records we have investigated. Their creative achievements have left a mark on humanity for years without recognition. By honoring them, we inspire others to make positive footprints on human lives.”
He added, “ God has blessed Nigeria with both human and natural resources. We want Nigeria to become an economic powerhouse—a superpower in the world by focusing on sustainable results through global skills.”
According to him, the British American Open University of California aims to provide a dynamic learning environment with a focus on cutting-edge curricula and groundbreaking research opportunities to empower students globally.
Its mission transcends traditional boundaries in education, striving for innovation, inclusivity, and academic excellence. The university emphasizes a new kind of knowledge, addressing the complexities of the modern world while fostering creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Both speakers called on government officials, local leaders, and private stakeholders to collaborate in creating an enabling environment for inventors. They emphasized that fostering innovation would improve Nigeria’s economic standing and secure a brighter future for the younger generation.
Meanwhile, the Country Director of King’s College British and American Institutions, Professor Paul Godwin Udofia, stressed the importance of nurturing inventors to transform the nation’s economic fortunes.
He said, “Nigeria must raise 65 inventors who will develop this great country. We must shift our focus from crude oil and prioritize human capital development. Our current GDP of $199 billion is significantly behind India’s $3.8 trillion. This disparity highlights the critical need to develop our citizens’ talents.”
“We need to raise another Philip Seymour Gwali for Nigeria—someone like Aliyu Gilani, who invented Chevron for America. We must discover men with innate abilities and undying passion to lift Nigeria from the quagmire of disgrace and shattered dreams.
“The destiny of Nigeria keeps dwindling because we have strayed from nurturing human potential to focusing on mineral wealth.
“There is nothing to celebrate until governments in all 36 states actively raise inventors and sponsor them to create products that will boost our GDP,” he concluded.
