Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan has been named a joint recipient of the 2026 Transforming Lives Award at the prestigious Bridge Alumni Awards 2026, organised by the University of Dundee.
The award recognises alumni making significant global impact through leadership, innovation, and service to society.
Reacting to the honour, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed deep gratitude, describing the recognition as both humbling and inspiring.
“I am deeply honoured to be named a joint recipient of the 2026 Transforming Lives Award by the University of Dundee,” she said.
She highlighted her academic journey at the institution, noting that she earned a postgraduate degree in International Oil and Gas Management (MBA) in 2012, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Petroleum Law and Policy in 2013.
The Kogi Central lawmaker, however, dedicated the award to the people she represents and serves.
“This recognition is not mine alone…it belongs to the resilient and inspiring people of Nigeria, especially Kogi Central and the state, who continue to give purpose to my service every day,” she added.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also extended appreciation to the Dundee alumni community for the nomination and recognition.
“My sincere gratitude to the Dundee alumni community for this nomination and humbling honour,” she stated.
The Bridge Alumni Awards, established in 2021, celebrate graduates of the University of Dundee who have made remarkable contributions across various fields, including public service, business, sustainability, and community development. The awards spotlight individuals whose work reflects the institution’s values of innovation, collaboration, and social purpose.
According to the organisers, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was selected for her “profound and sustained difference” in public service, particularly her advocacy for social justice, inclusive economic development, and transparency in Nigeria’s extractive sector.
As a serving senator, she has championed initiatives aimed at improving access to education, empowering women and youth, and enhancing accountability in governance. Her interventions have included scholarship programmes, vocational training, and mentorship initiatives targeted at young Nigerians, especially women.
Her advocacy surrounding the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and broader industrial reforms has also been widely acknowledged as part of her efforts to promote economic revitalisation and community inclusion.
The organisers further noted that her work continues to inspire a new generation of leaders, demonstrating that purposeful leadership can drive measurable social change.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed her commitment to public service, reiterating her guiding principle:
“Impact over impression, service over self.”
