Every graduation, ALA pauses to recognize students who have not only excelled, but have also made the community stronger through their presence. This year’s honorees each brought something distinctive to campus, and their impact will be felt long after they leave.
The Leadership Award: Adler Joao Mucoche, Mozambique
The Leadership Award is awarded to the graduating student whose leadership is a model and inspiration for the students, faculty, and staff in the African Leadership Academy community.
This year, the honor went to Adler, who served as Co-Chair of the Honor Council and approached the role with a rare and steady commitment to doing what was right, even when it was not easy. His leadership was consistent, thoughtful, and grounded in service, and it was that consistency that made it count.
The Dean Christopher Khaemba Award for Academic Excellence: Temitope Oluwaseyifunmi Johnson, Nigeria
Named after ALA’s founding dean, the Dean Christopher Khaemba Award for Academic Excellence is given to the student who took a wide and rigorous curriculum and whose academic results over two years personify the Academy’s value of Excellence.
Temitope understood from the start that academic excellence is not only about individual achievement. He excelled in his own work while helping those around him do the same. His dedication to learning, and to ensuring that learning was shared, reflects exactly what this award was created to recognize.
The Sani Prize: Jeremy Sheldon Sakwa Muchilwa, Kenya
The Sani Prize is awarded to a student whose tireless effort, innovative solutions, lofty ideals, and commitment to excellence serve to further the mission, vision, and values of the Academy, in the spirit of Mr. Iliyasu Adinoyi Sani, an African pioneer and member of the inaugural ALA faculty.
This year’s prize was awarded to Jeremy, whose love for science has never been purely academic. It has always been purposeful. Throughout his two years at ALA, he consistently asked how science could be used to make Africa better and worked to answer that question in practical ways.
The Spirit of Africa Award: Marwa Kriraa, Morocco
The Spirit of Africa Award is awarded to the graduating student whose infectious passion for the African continent resonates across the Academy community, inspiring each of us to discover and serve Africa and its people.
Marwa earned this recognition through theater, using storytelling to bring Africa’s people and experiences to life with honesty, beauty, and care. She showed the community, again and again, that the arts are not separate from leadership. They are part of it.
Honorary Diploma in Leadership: Dr. Amel Karboul
Each year, ALA confers its Honorary Diploma in Leadership upon its graduation keynote speaker. This year, it was awarded to Dr. Amel Karboul, whose life and work reflect what ALA asks of its students. A writer, former minister, and global education advocate, she has dedicated her career to advancing dignity and transformation, guided by the belief that leadership begins long before one is given a title.
Endowed Scholarship Recipients
In addition to celebrating our graduates, ALA’s graduation ceremony also looks ahead, recognizing Year One students whose early contributions and promise are already shaping our community’s future. Two endowed scholarships were awarded this year to honor excellence and leadership among our rising Year Twos.
The Shaheen Jassat Scholarship: David Baba Sawaneh, Sierra Leone
Established in 2024, this scholarship honors artistic achievement and celebrates students who use creativity as a tool for leadership and connection.
This year, the scholarship was awarded to David, whose artistic work has already left a mark on the ALA community. He brings courage, originality, and a genuine commitment to using his creative voice to move people and bring them together.
The W. Paatii Ofosu-Amaah Scholarship: Favour Jesudamife Bamidele-Tugbobo, Nigeria
Endowed by the Ofosu-Amaah family, this scholarship celebrates the legacy of W. Paatii Ofosu-Amaah, a leader remembered for his integrity, justice, and service to Africa. It supports students who embody those same values and who demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence and community impact.
This year’s recipient is Favour, who has distinguished herself through her academic commitment and genuine care for the people around her. Her early contributions to ALA reflect the promise, purpose, and spirit of leadership that the scholarship was created to support.
Together, these award and scholarship recipients reflect the many forms that excellence and leadership can take at ALA. We celebrate all they have contributed to the community and look forward to seeing how they continue to shape the world around them.
