University of Reading Unveils Fresh Africa Growth Strategy at 100th Anniversary

The University of Reading celebrated its 100th anniversary in Lagos this weekend, reaffirming its commitment to Nigeria and outlining plans to expand its presence across Sub-Saharan Africa. The centenary event, held in Lagos, marked a deliberate choice as part of a global journey that began in India and concluded in Southern Africa. University leaders, alumni, and business executives gathered for the event, which featured speeches and award presentations.

Jon Foster-Pedley, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean & Director, Henley Business School Africa, delivered the University of Reading Centenary Address. He explained that the decision to have the Nigerian leg of the celebration in Lagos was strategic, stating, "You can tell what a university has become by where it chooses to have its birthday. We chose to have ours across the world, and we chose to have this part of it in Nigeria."

The event also included a keynote address by Steve Babaeko, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of X3M Ideas, who encouraged alumni to merge formal education with creativity, resilience, and practical leadership. Babaeko, a Henley alumnus, highlighted the compatibility of world-class rigor with African relevance, emphasizing the importance of combining both in the same room.

Paul Orajiaka, Head of Henley Business School Nigeria Alumni Association, expressed satisfaction with the centenary celebration, praising the diverse range of award recipients that demonstrated the university's alumni impact on Nigerian society. Orajiaka emphasized that the achievements of the alumni were a testament to the institution's focus on more than just academic excellence, highlighting the emphasis on leadership and values in the university's training.