By Clement Odum
Wale Adeosun Leads ₦10bn Endowment Drive As Igbobi College Marks 94th Founders’ Day
Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos, on M
onday witnessed a convergence of eminent Nigerians and global alumni as Mr. Wale Adeosun formally chaired the Endowment Fund Committee of the Igbobi College Old Boys’ Association (ICOBA) during the College’s 94th Founders’ Day Lecture Series.
The landmark event, held at the prestigious Reverend Angus Memorial Hall, was the highlight of the anniversary celebrations and featured a high-powered lecture titled “Building Generational Strength for Educational Institutions in Nigeria.” The lecture was delivered by the former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, who served as the keynote speaker.
The chief host of the occasion, Chief Yomi Badejo-Okunsanya, the 12th President of the Igbobi College Old Boys’ Association, formally set the tone for the programme, which underscored the College’s renewed commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and character formation.
Distinguished personalities in attendance included the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Tolani Ali-Balogun; Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN; the Most Rev. Prof. S. T. V. Adegbite, M.A., GPJ, FPMAN, Bishop, Methodist Diocese of Ikeja; the Rt. Rev. James Olusola Odedeji, Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion); and Mr. Wale Adeosun, Chairman of the Endowment Fund Committee.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Adeosun emphasized the urgent need for collective alumni and corporate support towards the proposed Igbobi College Tech Hub and Endowment Fund, describing it as a strategic investment in the future of education in Nigeria.
“I am the chairman of the fundraising for the endowment. We are launching a new ₦10 billion endowment for Igbobi College, and I chair the endowment fundraising committee,” Adeosun said.
He outlined a multi-pronged fundraising strategy anchored on the global Igbobi College alumni network, corporate donations, and partnerships with leading Nigerian and multinational corporations.
“We will reach out to the Igbobi College global alumni network and also to corporate donors and partners. With the alumni, we are proud to say that we already have ten per cent of the ₦10 billion committed. This is very achievable,” he stated.
Looking ahead to the College’s centenary, Mr. Adeosun noted that the overarching vision is to position Igbobi College among the top five per cent of secondary schools in Africa by 2035. According to him, this will be achieved through world-class infrastructure, an education-driven vision, and technology-enabled learning designed to prepare students for the demands of the 21st century.
The initiative, he said, is aimed at blending Igbobi’s rich heritage with modern innovation to redefine how young people learn, create, and lead.
Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished financial experts produced by the institution, Mr. Adeosun brings extensive global experience to the assignment. He serves on the boards of several portfolio companies and previously chaired the Investment Advisory Committee of the $280 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund. In 2014, he was appointed to President Barack Obama’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA).
Mr. Adeosun is the founder of Kuramo Capital Management, LLC, established in 2020, and has served as its Chief Executive Officer since 2023. He is also Chairman of the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation, a Non-Executive Director at Feronia Inc., and formerly served as Chief Investment Officer and Treasurer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
An alumnus of Coe College, Mr. Adeosun holds an MBA from the Olin Business School.
The Founders’ Day lecture and endowment launch reaffirmed Igbobi College’s enduring legacy and its bold determination to remain a leading centre of learning, leadership, and excellence for generations to come.
