International educators begin intensive digital transformation programme with enthusiastic student response in Lagos, Nigeria – July 22, 2025 Professors Without Borders successfully launched its fourth annual programme at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Monday 21 July, welcoming over 200 students and faculty members to a week-long intensive focused on “Leadership, Innovation, and Sustainability: Empowering Digital Transformation.”
The programme opened with a welcome ceremony featuring distinguished guests including Barrister Babatunde Ogundare, Representative of the Minister of Interior, and Professor Folashade Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, represented by DVC, Academic and Research, Professor Bola Oboh,, who formally welcomed the international team of educators.”
We are delighted to host this remarkable initiative for the fourth consecutive year,” said Professor Bola Oboh during the opening ceremony.
“The partnership between UNILAG and Professors Without Borders (PWB) continues to provide our students and faculty members with invaluable exposure to global perspectives and cutting-edge skills.”
According to a statement e-Signed by Oluseyi Sodiya, Senior Manager, Project and Digital Product, noted that the programme features a diverse team of international educators working alongside local experts.
The teaching team includes:Dr. Bob Eckhart (Social Entrepreneurship) – Fulbright Scholar and Lead Professor for Nigeria Programmes, Dr. Brieanne Beaujolais (Research Methods) – Social work researcher specializing in social justice, Charlie Dove-Edwin (Finance for Africa) – Investment banking veteran and Associate Professor at Richmond University London, Peter-Frank Haarmans (Personal Branding) – Marketing and branding lecturer at Hogeschool Tio in the Netherlands, Oluseyi AJ Sodiya (AI Tools and Career Readiness) – Nigerian technology professional leading workshops supported by local volunteers from Total EnergiesThe programme is being coordinated by Titus Ayodele, Country Manager for Professors Without Borders PWB Nigeria, with support from Ambassador Dr. Olalekan Ajisafe and Dr. Aaron Akinloye.
Students were immediately immersed in hands-on learning experiences on the opening day. In Dr. Eckhart’s Social Entrepreneurship class, participants were challenged to design mobile applications, while Dr. Beaujolais engaged students in presenting their research interests and methodological approaches.”The energy and enthusiasm of Nigerian students never fails to impress us,” commented Dr. Eckhart. “Today we threw them in the deep end with app design challenges, and they responded with creativity, innovation, and genuine excitement about the possibilities ahead.”
Sodiya added that the students’ response exceeded expectations, with participants generously sharing their ideas and demonstrating the entrepreneurial mindset that the programme aims to cultivate. Many students expressed excitement about the practical, hands-on approach to learning that differs from traditional lecture formats.
“This programme represents exactly the kind of knowledge exchange that strengthens our institutions,” noted the welcoming remarks. “Our students benefit from global perspectives while our faculty enhance their teaching capabilities through exposure to international methodologies.”The five-day programme will continue through July 25, covering critical skills including social entrepreneurship, African finance, research methodology, artificial intelligence tools, and personal branding – all designed to enhance graduates’ readiness for Nigeria’s evolving job market.This UNILAG programme is part of Professors Without Borders’ broader five-year strategic plan to reach 15+ Nigerian universities and train over 2,000 students by 2030, directly supporting Nigeria’s Vision 2030 goals for economic diversification and human capital development.
Following the UNILAG programme, the team will move to Ekiti State University from July 28 to August 1 for a similar intensive programme.
Professors Without Borders Professors Without Borders is a UK-registered charity dedicated to expanding educational access in underserved communities worldwide. Since 2016, the organization has delivered programs across multiple universities in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
