Nigerian university Leader Outlines vision for Continent-Wide Educational Impact at Lehigh University
Babs Omotowa, a leader in Nigerian higher education, recently visited Lehigh University to share the progress and future plans of the Newleaf University of Technology and Management (NUTM), a rapidly growing institution aiming to revolutionize education and leadership development in Africa. Omotowa’s visit included meetings wiht Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble ’82, Nigerian graduate students affiliated with the Lehigh University Graduate Association of Nigerian Students (LUGANS), and representatives from various Lehigh offices including International Affairs, Creative Inquiry, and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science.
NUTM is already demonstrating significant success.Of its 165 graduates to date, 97% are either employed or have launched their own businesses within three months of program completion. Those entering the corporate sector have seen an average salary increase of 600% compared to their previous income. Moreover, 45% of graduates have continued the entrepreneurial ventures initiated during their time at NUTM, operating in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, fintech, and insurance.These ventures have collectively generated over 700 jobs and secured more than $3 million in funding.
Omotowa highlighted NUTM’s focus on employability, entrepreneurship, and real-world impact, drawing comparisons to the successful model of India’s Ashoka University, a partner institution through Lehigh’s global Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives (GPSI) office.
Looking forward, NUTM has aspiring expansion plans. By 2030, the university aims to grow to a 10,000-student residential campus and a digital platform capable of serving up to half a million learners across Africa.
Omotowa brings extensive experience to his role, having previously held senior leadership positions in the international energy sector with companies like Shell International and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas. he now leverages this background to build public-private partnerships and advance NUTM’s mission.
The visit underscores Lehigh University’s growing commitment to international collaboration. The university has recently added and deepened partnerships with over 40 institutions across four continents, as detailed in its 2024-25 Partnerships Activity Report. This activity is facilitated by the Office of International Affairs (OIA), which, along with the lee Iacocca institute for Global Leadership, aims to cultivate global learners and leaders through research, exchange programs, and experiential learning. The Iacocca Institute emphasizes systems thinking and collaborative problem-solving in preparing leaders for complex global challenges.
