A special event, celebrating the success of all Unicaf scholars from Nigeria, who have graduated from the University of Suffolk in the UK, was held on the last day of January in Lagos. Many of these graduates, together with their families and friends, were excited to attend the celebration in person, at the beautiful Oriental hotel.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director of the Centre for Academic & International Partnerships of the University of Suffolk, Associate Professor Stuart Agnew, commended graduates for their hard work, dedication and resilience, and mentioned recent achievements of the University of Suffolk, including being named ‘University of the Year’, winner for Lectures and Teaching quality, and winner for Student Support at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025, receiving first placement for Teaching Satisfaction in the Guardian University Guide 2026 for Business Management courses, and placed second for Teaching Satisfaction in the Guardian League Table 2026.
Professor Agnew emphasised that the University of Suffolk, is proud of its partnership with Unicaf, which is based upon shared values, like the belief in the power of inclusive higher education to bring transformational change to individuals and communities, to generate new ideas, advance the boundaries of knowledge and resolve real-life issues. Professor Agnew gave the following advice to graduates: “Be creative and forward thinking, use your life experiences together with your knowledge and skills to make a positive difference to those around you. Be bold and proactive. Support those who can benefit from you, as a friend, family member, colleague or business leader. You are the future, so be bold with your positive actions”.
In his address to the graduates, the Chief Academic Officer of Unicaf, Dr Kevin Andrews, underlined the importance of celebrating their academic success in their own country and in the presence of their loved ones. Referring to the partnership of Unicaf with the University of Suffolk, Dr Andrews stressed that world-class education can and must be accessible to the talented and determined, wherever they are in the world and added: “This ceremony is a celebration, but it is also a message. It says: achievement deserves to be honoured properly. It says: success should be visible. And it says: your education will travel with you into every future opportunity you pursue”.
Dr. Oyebamiji Ayodeji Daniel, a medical doctor who graduated in the Master in Public Health programme, gave a vote of thanks on behalf of all Unicaf scholars in Nigeria, who have graduated from the University of Suffolk. Dr Oyebamiji expressed the graduates’ collective pride for joining the University’s international alumni community and stated: “I knew that a British Master’s would empower me with the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to contribute even more to the prevention of infectious diseases. I believe I speak for all my fellow graduates when I say that we couldn’t have chosen better partners than Unicaf and the University of Suffolk in the UK. The teaching was comprehensive, the assessments were rigorous, the tutors and lecturers were knowledgeable and cordial, and their feedback was always constructive and helpful. Above all, the generous scholarships that we all received from Unicaf, made it possible for us to earn a UK degree without breaking the bank, and for this, we are all extremely grateful”.
The partnership of the University of Suffolk with Unicaf offers the following academic degree programmes online:
- Master of Business Administration
- MSc Public Health
- LLB (Hons) Law
- BA (Hons) Business Management
- BSc (Hons) Computing
- BSc (Hons) International Nursing (Progression Route)
For more information you can visit the website of the partnership at https://unicaf.uos.ac.uk/programmes
Written by Eva Koursoumba
