Beyond Borders: NSSPF Brainstorms Solutions for UK Nigerians, Eyes Major Summit!
By Mary-Jane Onuorah (NSSPF National Volunteer Coordinator)
The last day of May saw a crucial gathering of minds at the NSSPF (Nigerian Student Society Presidents’ Forum UK) Monthly Brainstorming session. On May 31, 2025, at 11 AM UK time, a dedicated group including Andrew, Dr. Alwell Maduakolam, Mary-Jane, Debs Adebayo, and several other active members, convened to chart the next steps for the forum, tackling pressing challenges and setting ambitious goals for the future.
Charting the Course: Brainstorming for Impact
The meeting began with warm greetings and a shared prayer, grounding the session in collective purpose. Andrew welcomed everyone, emphasising the significance of this end-of-month check-in to brainstorm critical next steps for the forum. The discussion quickly shifted to the twin paramount issues facing Nigerian students and recent graduates in the UK: visa requirements and financial independence. Andrew underscored how visa status profoundly influences every decision and strategy within their community, especially with ever-evolving immigration policies. The need to pursue permanent residency or citizenship to mitigate ongoing visa-related challenges was a key point.
Empowering Through Collaboration: Business & Talent Initiatives
Recognising the hurdles of individual ventures, the conversation moved to strategies for community business collaboration. Andrew passionately advocated for pooling resources and expertise, highlighting that “starting a business alone can be challenging.” He stressed the importance of valuing every financial contribution, no matter how small, acknowledging the sacrifices often made by members to support the collective. Members were encouraged to share updates on their business initiatives and local activities.
The meeting also delved into the organisation’s strategy for diversifying visa options and talent acquisition. Andrew revealed that a report on a recent summit had been completed and published, though he stressed the critical need for corrections due to initial errors, particularly regarding Cambridge University’s involvement. This highlighted the forum’s commitment to accurate reporting and attribution, acknowledging the complexities of compressing detailed reports for wider publication.
Furthermore, Andrew discussed a Global Talent Project that originated from the previous summit by the African Union Student Summit (AUSS), a project that is currently in its research phase. The aim is to leverage the value of skilled workers and innovative businesses in the context of employment and immigration, addressing staff shortages and challenging misconceptions about immigrants in the job market.
Amplifying the Message: NSSPF Communication & Outreach
A key area of focus was enhancing NSSPF’s communication strategy. Andrew emphasised the need to clearly explain the forum’s purpose to members to ensure full understanding and engagement. Plans were discussed for upcoming reports and even a potential podcast introduced and to be championed by Mr. Eleazer, the new volunteer in the media team to further clarify the organisation’s goals and activities. The media team was specifically tasked with continuing to publish updates on the NSSPF website and in newspapers, ensuring consistent information sharing.
Eyeing the Horizon: The AUSS 2025 Summit Takes Shape
A major highlight of the brainstorming session was the meticulous planning for the upcoming Annual, AUSS Summit 2025. Debs Adebayo provided a comprehensive update on the organisation process, outlining the shift to a hybrid format to accommodate international participants, abstracts and presentations particularly from Africa.
The planning team was tasked with preparing for this format, while all members were invited to indicate interest in joining various planning groups for the summit. Crucially, feedback was sought on proposed summit dates to ensure they could accommodate African dignitaries, with late September or early October being considered. Members with university connections were also encouraged to explore hosting opportunities for the summit at their respective institutions.
The summit promises to be a significant platform, offering researchers and students the invaluable opportunity to present their work and thesis presentations. Andrew elaborated on the collaboration initiative at universities, emphasising the potential for leveraging access to information and tools, networking, gaining feedback, and ultimately transforming ideas into impactful projects or businesses.
The meeting concluded with expressions of appreciation for the team’s dedicated efforts and a reminder for all members to stay informed about the ongoing initiatives. The May brainstorming session clearly set a powerful trajectory for NSSPF UK, solidifying its role as a proactive force for empowerment, collaboration, and community building within the Nigerian diaspora.
#NSSPFInnovates #UKImmigration #NigerianDiaspora #FinancialIndependence #GlobalTalent #AUSS2025
Stay connected for more updates and exciting developments from NSSPF UK as we continue to empower and unite the Nigerian diaspora!
For more information or collaboration please reach out to us at admin@nsspf-uk.org or contact us on 07881168707.