Among the many highlights from President Peter O. Nwosu helping lead a high-level delegation to Kenya, Rwanda and his homeland of Nigeria as part of the SUNY Africa Initiative was a ceremony at the University of Ibadan, where he signed Oswego’s first institutional agreement in Nigeria.
SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu traveled to Africa from July 11 to 23, helping lead a high-level delegation to Kenya, Rwanda and his homeland of Nigeria as part of the SUNY Africa Initiative — a system-wide effort to deepen strategic educational, economic and cultural partnerships across the continent.
The two-week journey included visits to Nairobi, Kigali and Lagos, aiming to bolster SUNY’s presence in Africa by advancing academic collaborations, student recruitment, study abroad opportunities, joint research initiatives and workforce development.
“This was a valuable opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and explore prospects in rapidly emerging regions with large, youthful populations eager for international education and global opportunities,” President Nwosu said. “Returning to my homeland and visiting other places to share stories of success and the opportunities available through SUNY and Oswego was deeply meaningful. Meeting so many bright students, dedicated teachers, and welcoming administrators and officials made the experience unforgettable.”
President Nwosu was joined by key administrators, including SUNY Provost, Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and President of the Research Foundation Melur Ramasubramanian, SUNY Polytechnic Institute President Winston Oluwole (Wole) Soboyejo and SUNY Fredonia President Stephen H. Kolison Jr. This visit builds on a strategic white paper to SUNY Chancellor John King, Jr., co-authored by Presidents Nwosu and Soboyejo, articulating a comprehensive vision for the State University of New York’s expanded engagement in Africa and its contribution to New York’s global competitiveness.
Joshua McKeown, SUNY Oswego’s associate provost for international education, was part of the delegation to build on existing contacts and create new avenues for prospective students and visiting scholars.
Key goals of the trip included:
- Formalizing new university partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding
- Hosting student recruitment and alumni engagement events
- Exploring collaborations in technology, entrepreneurship, sustainability and cultural industries
- Supporting U.S. visa success pathways for African students seeking a SUNY education
- Elevating SUNY’s global brand, initially, in four high-growth African markets
Successful visits
In Nairobi, the SUNY delegation met with Vice Chancellors of 35 public universities in Kenya, hosted by the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Beatrice Muganda Inyanga, and discussed areas for potential collaboration.
The SUNY delegation also visited the Kenya Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where President Nwosu, and SUNY Oswego anthropology professor Patricia Princehouse, who conducts groundbreaking archaeological work in the country through Turkana University, and others met with Principal Secretary Korir SingOei and Ambassador Patrick Wamoto. They also visited the National Museums of Kenya, where they saw extensive research on the origins of humanity.
Later, the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi hosted a welcome reception in SUNY’s honor, with Charge d'Affaires Marc Dillard and embassy staff offering insights into student visas, academic exchange and collaboration. Nearly 100 guests — including university leaders, high school representatives and recruitment partners — joined the event, reinforcing the university’s commitment to expanding global access to a SUNY education.
In Rwanda, the delegation addressed university and industry leaders at a summit hosted by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda, Professor Muganga Kayihura Didas. In attendance was the Vice Chancellor of Rwanda Polytechnic, Sylvie Mucyo. The group also met with several government ministers, including the Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana, the Minister of Innovation and Technology Paula Ingabire, and the Minister of Labor and Employment Christine Nkulikiyinka, to explore collaboration in education, workforce development and research. They discussed ideas including faculty exchange, study abroad, online learning, materials science and e-internships, and later hosted a reception for recruitment agents, parents, and families.
In his native Nigeria, President Nwosu traveled with SUNY Oswego Chief International Officer Joshua McKeown (above right) and connected with recruiting agencies and high school leaders in Lagos, joined by proud December 2024 online MBA alumna Jane Nwagu (at left in photo), group head of business development for First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Insurance Brokers, who shared her experience with future Lakers.
President Nwosu also met with senior leadership from Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, and visited other top Nigerian universities: the University of Lagos and, later, the University of Ibadan, where he signed Oswego’s first institutional agreement in Nigeria.
He capped off the visit at PEFTI Film and TV School (photo below), discussing exciting possibilities for partnerships given the strengths the institution offers in media and communications.
President Nwosu meets with Rwanda government cabinet ministers to discuss potential partnerships.
President Nwosu makes a presentation at the University of Rwanda.