Dean Okoli visits Nigeria to recruit next generation of students
(Herff College of Engineering Dean Okenwa Okoli, seen in the middle of the left photo and far left of the right photo, was interviewed by two radio stations during his trip to Nigeria.)
June 29, 2026
While students at the Herff College of Engineering enjoyed their summer break, Dean Okenwa Okoli spent the time between semesters more than 6,000 miles away recruiting the next generation of Herff students.
Okoli traveled to Nigeria in June to recruit prospective students and introduce them to the educational opportunities available at the University of Memphis.
"People who had never heard of Memphis are now thinking about Herff as their college of choice. In order to impact an ever-changing world, we have to be out in it and meet the people where they are," Okoli said.
Around 40 prospective students attended the event, hosted in partnership with Otegee Concepts. Okoli said many were interested in Herff's bachelor's degree programs, as well as the Master of Science in Applied AI offered through the Polytechnic@UofM.
"They had a lot of interest in Applied AI," Okoli said. "Many of them already have their own companies. They are running their businesses and want to scale by expanding their global reach."
Despite the distance, Okoli said Nigerian students are well prepared for studying in the United States because of the similarities in academic rigor.
"The curriculum in Nigeria is very strong," Okoli said. "They have gone through very rigorous training at the high school level, so the K-12 equivalency is there. They are very strong in math and science, and the culture in Nigeria closely resembles the Southern culture of the United States."
Beyond academics, Okoli said both cultures emphasize respect, hard work and independence. Many Nigerian students develop those qualities through boarding school, gaining independence at an earlier age and making the prospect of moving thousands of miles from home less daunting.
Though many students are eager to explore the world, their parents can be more hesitant. While answering students' questions, Okoli also spent time reassuring parents about the supportive community awaiting their children in Memphis.
"When these young students arrive, they are alone and do not have family here, so the University plays a strong role in welcoming them. We take care of our own. We will make sure they are taken care of here. When you walk off campus and experience the vibrancy of the city, you will meet friendly people. In my three and a half years here, I have found the community to be very welcoming. I know these students will experience that same sense of community when they arrive in Memphis," Okoli said.
"We assured parents that we will work closely with our International Student Services and Admissions teams to make the process as seamless as possible, so we do not lose prospective students," Okoli said.
Okoli said he was grateful for the opportunity to introduce dozens of prospective students to the Herff College of Engineering and the University of Memphis during his trip, but his international recruitment efforts are far from over.
The dean plans to continue visiting countries around the world to connect with prospective students and share the opportunities available at the University of Memphis, the Herff College of Engineering and the city of Memphis.