Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the leading tertiary institutions in Nigeria, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, will on Sunday, November 28, 2021, honour the Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Africa Plc, Mr Segun Ogunsanya.
On that day, the telecommunications expert will be conferred with a Doctor of Science, D.Sc Ed (Honoris Causa) in Computer Science Education.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Oluwole Banjo, explained that the conferment is in recognition of his passion for education and numerous contributions to the development of the telecommunications industry in general.
“The university took special cognizance of Mr Ogunsanya’s exemplary leadership and it is our modest desire to honour a leader of a global acclaim who represents the ideals of integrity and selflessness which our university stands for.
“The university joins well-meaning Nigerians in celebrating Mr Ogunsanya’s enviable worth and outstanding legacies in the service of humanity. We also congratulate him and his family on this noble achievement,” he said.
It was gathered that the ceremony to formally confer the award on Mr Ogunsanya will take place at the school’s auditorium at the Ijagun Main Campus.
Mr Ogunsanya, while speaking on the award, thanked the leadership of Tai Solarin University for according him such a great honour, noting that he is humbled by the recognition and inspired to continue to promote and support laudable initiatives and causes that will be beneficial to people across Africa.
“I express profound gratitude to the Tai Solarin University of Education for awarding me an Honourary Doctoral degree. I believe the award is an invitation to continue to use the platforms I have to create value as well as empower people across the African continent.
“I will not rest on my laurels as I am committed to making a difference across Africa. Backwardness should not and will not be a permanent feature of Africa,” he said.
Mr Ogunsanya, a product of Mayflower School established by the late Dr Tai Solarin, is an accomplished Engineer and Chartered Accountant with over 30 years’ cognate experience garnered across multiple geographies, organisations and diverse sectors such as telecoms, consulting, Banking and Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG).
He joined Airtel Nigeria in 2012 and repositioned the company to become profitable and the 2nd largest telecommunications company by revenue and serving over 50 million customers. His appointment as Airtel Africa PLC Group CEO came into effect on October 1, 2021.
The Tai Solarin University of Education is Nigeria’s Premier University of Education and the preferred University of Education of the 21st Century.
It was proclaimed by the Ogun State Government on January 29, 2005, and approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on November 28, 2005, as the 76th and the first specialized University of Education in Nigeria, 2nd in Africa and 8th in the World, hence its adoption of the formula 1-2-8.
