UK Alumni power Nigeria’s tech, culture, health gains — British Council

Leaders across law, technology, culture and healthcare gathered in Lagos as the British Council hosted its Study UK Alumni Awards, highlighting how Nigerians educated in the United Kingdom are shaping innovation and social progress at home.

The ceremony, held in Lagos, brought together government officials, academics, business executives and creatives who studied in the UK and are now influencing Nigeria’s development across key sectors.

According to the British Council, the awards recognise international graduates who have used their UK education to drive change in business, public service, science and the creative economy. Organisers said the event also strengthened long-standing education ties between Nigeria and the UK.

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Donna McGowan, country director of the British Council in Nigeria, said the global awards programme continues to expand in reach and influence.

“The Study UK Alumni Awards is a prestigious global award that celebrates UK higher education and the achievements of UK alumni worldwide,” she said, noting that the programme has received more than 1,800 applications from alumni across over 120 countries and more than 110 UK universities.

Among the winners was human rights lawyer Kola Alapinni, who received the Social Action Award for defending freedom of religion and belief in Nigeria. Alapinni has handled high-profile blasphemy cases in northern Nigeria and provided pro bono legal support in appeals that overturned severe sentences handed to some defendants.

In the Culture, Creativity and Sport category, digital creator Yemisi Sophie Odusanya, known online as Sisi Yemmie, was recognised for promoting Nigerian food and culture through her YouTube platform, which has built a large audience and expanded global interest in local cuisine and lifestyle storytelling.

The Business and Innovation Award went to Dimeji Sofowora, co-founder of Helium Health, a healthcare technology company providing digital tools and financing to hospitals and clinics across Africa. Since launching in 2016, the company has helped digitise millions of patient records and supported thousands of healthcare workers, according to organisers.

In the Science and Sustainability category, Abdulazeez Ahmed, a professor at Bayero University Kano, was honoured for advancing hearing care and training specialists in underserved communities. His work has helped develop Nigeria’s early programmes in audiology and ear-care services.

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Organisers said the diversity of the winners shows how international education can support innovation, research collaboration and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

The British Council added that alumni networks remain important platforms for partnerships between Nigerian professionals and UK institutions, helping strengthen knowledge exchange and leadership development.

The awards ended with calls for deeper cooperation between both countries to support the next generation of Nigerian students and innovators.