Tinubu Hails Okonjo-Iweala, Adeola, Adesina on Honorary Doctorates from UNILAG

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO); Fola Adeola, co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc; and Kola Adesina, Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, following the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees by the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The university awarded Dr. Okonjo-Iweala for her groundbreaking leadership as the first African woman to head the WTO and for her impactful reforms within Nigeria’s financial sector. Fola Adeola received recognition for his pioneering contributions to the Nigerian banking sector and his establishment of the FATE Foundation, an NGO that mentors young Nigerian entrepreneurs. Kola Adesina, a UNILAG alumnus, was honored for his contributions to the energy sector, particularly his leadership at Sahara Power Group, which operates across 42 countries.

The three Nigerian icons were awarded honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degrees at the university’s 55th convocation ceremony on January 16.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu commended the trio for their exceptional contributions to Nigeria’s development, stressing that their achievements serve as inspiration for the nation’s youth.

President Tinubu particularly highlighted Adesina’s transformative impact on the country’s energy sector. He described the honorary degree as a well-deserved recognition of Adesina’s role in advancing sustainable energy solutions and driving innovation in Nigeria’s power sector.

“Your visionary leadership at Sahara Power Group has been truly transformative, ensuring sustainable power solutions and inspiring excellence across the energy industry. This honorary degree is a fitting recognition of your relentless efforts to enhance engineering standards and innovate within Nigeria,” President Tinubu said.

The President praised the trio for their relentless pursuit of excellence and significant contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth, adding that their work continues to inspire and shape the nation’s future.

“I urge you to keep being beacons of hope and innovation for the next generation. Your contributions are deeply appreciated by the government and people of Nigeria,” President Tinubu said.

In conclusion, President Tinubu wished Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, Adeola, and Adesina even greater success in their future endeavors.