Award-winning coach and human behaviour expert Mfon Ekpo, who is also the founder of The Discovery Centre, has made history as the first recipient of the University of Southampton’s Outstanding Contribution Alumni Award in its 163-year existence.
The recognition is a powerful full-circle moment for the Nigerian-born trailblazer, who once penned a heartfelt application to the university, seeking an opportunity to change her life.
Two decades later, she returned to the institution—this time as its most celebrated alumna, delivering the commencement address and receiving its highest alumni honour.
In her moving speech, Ekpo shared her early struggles, recounting how a doctor had once predicted mental limitations at birth. “I was told I had to play the hand I was dealt,” she said.
“Until one day, I realised I didn’t have to. I could throw those cards back on life’s table and demand a new hand.” Her call to challenge limitations and embrace bold possibilities resonated deeply with the audience, earning a standing ovation.
Ekpo’s impact spans continents. A member of the inaugural Mandela Washington Fellowship under President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), she was also named a Goodwill Ambassador and Honorary Citizen of Arkansas by the state’s governor.
Her leadership journey includes serving on the President’s Advisory Council of the John Maxwell Team, leading large-scale leadership initiatives in countries such as Guatemala, Paraguay, and Costa Rica. She has coached thousands of emerging leaders across Africa, Europe, and North America.
Read Also: WAFCON 2024: Ajibade, Okoronkwo, Nnadozie, and Alozie Named in Tournament’s Best XI
With this award, Ekpo joins a distinguished list of Southampton alumni, including Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, and Adrian Newey, renowned Formula 1 engineer.
Her rise—from a child facing adversity to a globally celebrated figure—embodies resilience, vision, and bold leadership.
Image Credit: Hartley News Online –
