Madonna University: Why we’re conferring honorary doctorate on Wakanow group CEO

The management of Madonna University in Rivers state says it will confer an honorary doctorate degree in business administration upon Bayo Lion Adedeji, the group chief executive officer (GCEO) of Wakanow.

Chima Achu, the university’s spokesperson, announced the decision during an official visit to the Wakanow headquarters in Lagos on Tuesday.

The varsity’s PRO explained that the honour was approved by the university’s senate following a rigorous vetting process.

He revealed that in the past 10 years, Madonna University has not awarded a PhD to anyone, and only two distinguished individuals have been identified for it during a ceremony scheduled for November this year.

He also emphasised that the award is not financially motivated while lauding Adedeji’s impact in job creation, providing employment for over 2,000 Nigerians.

“We identify young persons, people whose work over time can influence young persons. And that accounts for why we decided to identify Mr. Adedeji.

“For us, this is not about money. That is why we are not even giving any politician at all. No politician is coming that day to be honoured.”

Chima specifically lauded Adedeji’s profound impact on employment in Nigeria. He also disclosed that beyond the degree, the university has appointed Adedeji as a global ambassador.

“But for someone who has given employment to over 2,000 Nigerians, that is unique. That is a significant impact. That is something that you cannot throw away,” he said.

“For us, we want to encourage him to do more. We want to make him an ambassador of the university globally. I graduated from the university 21 years ago.

“And I can tell you for sure, anywhere you go across the globe, Madonna graduates are doing excellently well. So we want him to be a unique ambassador for the university. We want to build a relationship that will stand the test of time.

“Like I said, it is not about needing anything from him. We do not need his money. He did not pay for this.”

Addressing potential concerns about the selection’s integrity, the spokesperson assured that the process involved multiple layers of approval.

“There was no objection whatsoever. The truth is that the senate and governing council of the university, including the board of trustees, do not just do this. It is layers of approvals,” he added. 

“No question, no objection was raised about this person. For us, we are also very careful as a university because it is all about our brand.

“It is about our reputation. We are also very careful who we give our honorary doctorate degree to because that person is more or less an ambassador of the university.”

In his response, an emotional Adedeji described the recognition as a deeply moving validation of his work.

He recounted taking the helm at Wakanow six years ago when the company was in a dire state.

“I took over Wakanow six years ago. Wakana was in a lost position. Wakanow was losing money and bleeding like a gunshot wound. I took over the business,” he said.

“I thought that we had like 200 people. I get to find out that I have 600 direct employees. Wakanow has 800 direct employees.

“Indirectly, we probably have over 2,000 people who work and earn a living from the vision of one person, from the diligence of one person, from the hard work.

“Of course, all of us work hard. It is not just that. It is done by the guiding principle of integrity, of delivering value.”

He attributed the success to a culture of integrity and value delivery, also highlighting employee welfare initiatives such as free lunches and staff transportation.

”I feel a little bit like crying because it just takes a lot for you to be recognised for the work that you have done over the years in Nigeria. I am excited about it,” he added.