This month, Funmi Iyanda will receive what is for
her, the latest in a long line of awards, but this
time from an English university that has
recognised her significant global contribution to
human rights and sustainability. At a University
of Cumbria graduation ceremony in the historic
Carlisle Cathedral on Wednesday 25 November,
Funmi will receive an honorary fellowship from
the institution in acknowledgment of her
outstanding and high profile work.
Funmi is the first African woman to receive this
award. An award winning Nigerian media
entrepreneur, producer, talk show host, journalist
and activist, Funmi is best known for
independently producing and hosting Nigeria’s
most popular and ground-breaking talk show New
Dawn with Funmi, which ran on the national
network for eight years.
She is a Director at Creation television, a film
production company in the United Kingdom,
acquiring classic African literary content for film
adaptation to a global audience. She is also the
founder of the Change-A-Life Foundation, a
social service non-profit organization that acts
as a bridge between exceptional but indigent
youth and women and the individuals, agencies
and organizations with the capacity and
willingness to meet these people’s needs.
Funmi has worked closely with the University of
Cumbria for a number of years, in particular with
its Institute for Leadership and Sustainability
(IFLAS), where her achievements and inspiration
make her a role model to the growing contingent
of African students who enrol on the MBA. She
has been recognised by the World Economic
Forum making her a Young Global Leader (YGL)
and by Forbes magazine naming her one of
Africa’s most powerful and influential women,
and is a Fellow of the Aspen Institute World
Global Leaders Programme.
Speaking on receiving the award, Funmi said, “I
am truly honoured to have my work and career
recognised by such a historic institution and
thankful for a great space to contribute to a
diverse body of knowledge.” IFLAS Founder and
Professor of Sustainability Leadership, Jem
Bendell, says of Funmi, “She demonstrates how
celebrity and media can be used to raise the
level of debate about what kind of society,
politics and economy we want.
“Given the gossip and squabbling in much
mainstream media, it is important that our
cultural leaders call us to consider what really
matters in life, like poverty, equality, and the
environment. We look forward to working further
with Funmi on a range of our activities in both
the UK and Africa.”
The University of Cumbria teaches leadership
and sustainability to hundreds of senior
executives from across Africa, through its MBA
programmes with the Robert Kennedy College.
IFLAS has over 500 African MBA students.