African Students Excel As KDI School Graduates Fresh Global Policy Leaders

African students were among the standout performers at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony, reinforcing the institution’s growing role in shaping a new generation of global policy leaders committed to ethical governance and sustainable development.

Award recipients included Stephen Ojegbola from Nigeria, who earned the Academic Excellence Achievement Award in Intellectual Property and Development Policy.

Speaking at the ceremony in Sejong, the Dean of KDI School, Professor Joon-Kyung Kim, congratulated the graduating class on their hard-earned achievement and urged them to prepare for the greater responsibilities that lie ahead.

“Today is a day to take pride in how far you have come. After hardship comes happiness, but beyond one mountain lies another mountain. You are now part of our global KDI community of over 73,000 alumni across 143 countries, and wherever you go, you belong to something bigger,” Prof. Kim said.

The Dean highlighted KDI School’s global standing, noting that it was the first institution in Korea to receive the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) accreditation twice. He also mentioned that it has been recognised as an excellent institution by the Korean Ministry of Education for five consecutive years.

He added that KDI ranked in the global 51+ tier for Social Policy and Administration in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject and secured second place worldwide in citations per paper.

However, he emphasised that the true measure of success goes beyond rankings and awards, insisting that “more important than accolades is what you take with you—the skills to use data, the values to serve others, and the commitment to improve the world around you.” He described Korea’s development experience as a roadmap to sustainable development for emerging economies.

In a keynote address, the Ambassador of Rwanda to the Republic of Korea, Bakuramutsa Nkubito Manzi, urged graduates to embrace collaboration in addressing complex global challenges.

He stated, “The era of isolated policy-making is over. Climate change, global health security, and rising inequality demand cooperation, empathy, and intellectual humility. Your success in public service will not be measured by profit, but by impact.”

He added that KDI training had equipped graduates with the ability to analyse policy through the lens of public good and ethical governance, urging them to become “solution makers, not just problem identifiers,” inspired by Korea’s transformation known as the Miracle on the Han River.

Several other African students received academic awards for exceptional performance at the ceremony. Alinafe Yoyola of Malawi (Master of Development Policy), Alieu Ceesay of The Gambia (Master of Data Science for Public Policy and Management), and Mustapha Colley of The Gambia (Master of Public Policy) won the Academic Excellence Achievement Award, while Pamela Mwale of Malawi, a Master of Public Policy graduate, earned a place on the Dean’s List.

Additionally, Nander Esmeralda Ndam (Master in Intellectual Property and Development Policy) from Nigeria and Samson Garama Dadu (Master of Public Policy) from Kenya received awards for Student Community Service.

Reflecting on his experience, Ojegbola said he chose KDI School for its unique partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

“This program links intellectual property directly to development policy. Everything here is intentionally designed to bring out the best in students, and the experience challenged me to grow beyond my expectations,” he stated.

Another graduate, Muyama Christine from Uganda, described her journey as demanding but transformative. “Policy works not when it assumes self-sufficiency, but when it recognises interdependence,” she said, adding that her time at KDI had shown her the power of community and shared purpose.