The University of Reading has used its 100th anniversary celebrations in Lagos to announce a renewed commitment to Nigeria and a broader strategy for deepening its presence across Sub-Saharan Africa.
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University leaders, alumni, business executives and other stakeholders gathered in Lagos for the institution’s centenary celebration and awards evening.
The event formed part of a global anniversary programme that has taken the university’s centenary celebrations to different parts of the world.
Speaking at the event, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean and Director of Henley Business School Africa, Jon Foster-Pedley, said the decision to stage part of the centenary celebration in Nigeria was deliberate.
The choice reflects the growing importance of Africa within the university’s international outlook.
The university is looking towards Africa’s expanding population, economic opportunities and growing connections with global markets as it develops its next phase of international engagement.
The Lagos event also placed emphasis on the contribution of University of Reading alumni to Nigerian society.
Paul Orajiaka, Head of the Henley Business School Nigeria Alumni Association, said the quality and diversity of the alumni recognised at the ceremony demonstrated the institution’s impact across different sectors of the Nigerian economy.
He noted that the university’s contribution goes beyond academic training, with leadership and values also forming an important part of its educational approach.
The keynote speaker, X3M Ideas Chief Executive Officer and Chief Creative Officer Steve Babaeko, challenged alumni to combine formal education with creativity, resilience and practical leadership.
Babaeko, himself a Henley alumnus and visiting fellow, argued that global business standards and African relevance should not be treated as opposing ideas.
His comments reflected a central theme of the celebration: the importance of applying international knowledge to local challenges.
For the University of Reading, Nigeria provides an important base for strengthening relationships across the continent.
The university’s Africa strategy comes at a time when African economies are experiencing rapid demographic and technological changes, creating new demand for skills, research, entrepreneurship and leadership.
The centenary celebration therefore became more than a reflection on the university’s past.
It provided an opportunity to outline where the institution wants to go next.
From its century-long history in education and research, the University of Reading is now looking towards deeper partnerships, stronger alumni networks and broader engagement across Africa.
For Nigerian graduates of the university, the celebration offered an opportunity to reconnect with their institution and highlight their contributions to national development.
For the university itself, the Lagos event delivered a clear message.
As it begins its second century, Africa is expected to occupy an increasingly important place in its global story.
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