OAU Confers Honorary Doctorate on MTN Nigeria CEO, First Lady, Others

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has honoured five distinguished individuals for their exceptional contributions to humanity during its 48th convocation ceremony, which concluded on December 14. 

The honorees, celebrated for their roles in advancing societal progress were: the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola; first lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, renowned academia and entrepreneur; Daere Afonya-Akobo, a leader in the oil and gas industry; and Dr Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi, Group Chairman of Mutual Benefits Plc.

The event, led by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire on a three-day convocation ceremony saw 7,368 students graduate. The honorees were recognised for their significant contributions to society, leveraging their talents, resources, and material support to uplift communities and advance progress in various fields. Notably, four of the five honorees,  Toriola, Tinubu, Adegbulugbe and  Ogunbiyi. are proud alumni of the institution. 

Senator Tinubu was celebrated as an astute politician and advocate for the underprivileged, particularly women and children. Dr. Ogunbiyi, whose conglomerate employs over 5,000 people, was lauded for his leadership in corporate Nigeria and his contributions to job creation. Professor Adegbulugbe and Daere Afonya-Akobo were recognised for their trailblazing achievements in academia and the oil and gas sector, respectively. Karl Toriola was celebrated for making groundbreaking contributions to Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, steering the company to new heights of innovation and service delivery. 

Bamire commended the honorees for their exemplary achievements and their dedication to uplifting society. “These individuals represent the ideals of excellence, service, and leadership that Obafemi Awolowo University strives to instil in its graduates,” he said.

The convocation reaffirmed OAU’s tradition of celebrating excellence and recognising individuals who exemplify its values of innovation and societal impact. The honorary awards spotlight the honorees’ exceptional contributions and serve as a source of inspiration for the next generation of leaders and changemakers.