When the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of Nigeria (HKSAN) and Slum2School Africa came together in Lagos last week, the result was more than just a farewell dinner. It became a celebration of ideas, culture, education, and partnerships — all woven together to honour Professor Zoe Marks and the visiting delegation from the Harvard Centre for African Studies (HCAS).
The evening, which was held at the colourful Slum2School Innovation Hub in Lekki, was the highlight of a week-long academic and cultural exchange that spanned across Nigeria. With laughter, music, speeches, and reflection, the gathering showcased how Harvard alumni and African institutions are building new bridges of collaboration to strengthen the future of education and development across the continent.
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A Night of Reflection and Celebration
The farewell dinner was no ordinary send-off. It brought together a vibrant mix of Harvard alumni — not only from the Kennedy School but also from the Law and Business Schools — along with faculty representatives from HCAS and a delegation from the University of Lagos African Centre, led by Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Muyiwa Falaiye. Young scholars supported by Slum2School Africa were also at the table, making the evening a true intergenerational exchange.
Professor Zoe Marks, a faculty member at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Oppenheimer Faculty Director at HCAS, delivered a heartfelt address. She reminded guests that alumni are not just former students — they are torchbearers of global networks and catalysts for meaningful change.
“Alumni engagement is critical for shaping Harvard’s work in Africa. Together, we can build a collaborative community that advances research, innovation, and leadership on the continent,” she said, drawing nods of agreement from across the hall.
Her words reinforced a theme that carried through the entire week: that education is not just about classrooms and lectures, but about building partnerships that spark innovation and give African scholars and communities the tools to thrive.
Academic Exchanges, Culture, and Leadership
The dinner capped a week filled with strategic engagements. Delegates attended academic exchanges with Nigerian universities, cultural showcases, and the prestigious Folorunso Alakija Distinguished Annual Lecture and Gala, which brought together leaders from government, academia, and the private sector.
But the Lagos programme was more than ceremonial. It was designed to strengthen bonds between Harvard and Nigerian institutions while amplifying grassroots initiatives such as Slum2School Africa, which is dedicated to providing education to underserved children.
The evening began with a colourful burst of culture — performances delivered in five Nigerian and African tribal languages. Young talents like Jennifer Williams, Promise Okeke, Balikis, and Motunrayo Idowu wowed the audience with music, poetry, and storytelling. The energy in the room shifted between celebration and reflection, thanks to the guidance of the night’s youthful hosts, Divine Ibrahim (19) and Charles Usa (20), both pioneer Slum2School scholars who embodied the event’s vision of empowering the next generation.
The showcase of cultural pride was not just entertainment — it was a reminder that any conversation about education in Africa must remain rooted in local identity, heritage, and creativity.
Alumni and Partners Reaffirm Commitment
The presence of Harvard alumni was felt strongly throughout the evening. Paul Orajiaka (HKS ’17), representing the president of HKSAN, delivered a message of continuity, stressing that the alumni association remains committed to expanding educational opportunities and partnerships across the continent.
Other alumni — including Kunmi Adio-Moses, Tayo Olosunde, Professor Joe Attueyi, Rabi Isma, and Dr. Aderomola Adeola — echoed his remarks, each sharing stories of how their Harvard experience continues to inspire their efforts to connect African scholars with global opportunities.
Orondaam Otto, founder of Slum2School Africa and a board member of the HKS Alumni Association, reflected on the collective strength of alumni leadership. He highlighted the significant contributions of Harvard-trained Nigerians such as Governor Yemi Cardoso, Olu Verheijen, Adaora Ugwu-Ndukwu, Uche Pedro, Jemimah Jatau, and Abosede George-Ogan.
For Otto, the evening was about more than just celebration. It was about demonstrating how leadership, when rooted in collaboration, can drive transformative change. “This is what happens when institutions and communities come together — we don’t just exchange ideas, we build legacies,” he said.
The evening closed with heartfelt exchanges of gifts and group photographs, the smiles on every face a reflection of unity and shared vision.
A New Era for Education Diplomacy in Africa
The Lagos farewell dinner may have lasted only a few hours, but its message was clear: education diplomacy is alive and thriving in Africa. By leveraging alumni networks, fostering partnerships, and creating platforms for cultural exchange, events like this set the stage for stronger collaborations between African institutions and global universities.
Slum2School Africa’s Innovation Hub was the perfect venue for this narrative. Located in Lekki, it represents the possibility of transforming underserved communities through education, technology, and innovation. To see Harvard alumni, Nigerian academics, and young scholars gathered under one roof symbolised the power of collaboration in shaping Africa’s future.
The week-long engagements demonstrated that the partnership between Harvard and Africa is not a one-off initiative but a growing relationship rooted in mutual respect and shared goals. The farewell dinner served as a reminder that behind every institution are people — alumni, students, educators, and leaders — who are willing to put in the work to ensure education drives development.
As Africa looks to the future, gatherings like this point to an inspiring truth: that when local initiatives meet global networks, the result is not just progress, but transformation.
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