The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, held its combined Convocation ceremony on Thursday, January 22, drawing thousands of graduands, academics, and dignitaries.
Among the graduates was Bodex Hungbo, Chairperson of Bodex Group International, a globally recognised media entrepreneur known for excellence in media practice and strategic communication.
For Hungbo, the ceremony represented far more than the collection of a certificate. It marked the culmination of a journey defined by intentional reinvention, resilience, and passion for growth.
Graduating at the 56th convocation of UNILAG, Hungbo described the milestone as deeply personal. “It means a whole lot to me,” she said. “My first degree was in Industrial Chemistry. Having a second degree that aligns with what I do today is intentional. I want my name attached to every positive success.”
Her academic journey reflects a compelling evolution. Trained initially as an industrial chemist, Hungbo built a thriving career across broadcasting, media consulting, reputation management, and entrepreneurship long before formally studying Mass Communication. Returning to school, she explained, was a deliberate decision rooted in self-awareness and foresight.
“I love media, but I didn’t study media in school,” she said. “I followed a practical path, consulting for firms and individuals. One day, I asked myself: what if someone asks me what I studied? I couldn’t keep saying Industrial Chemistry. I needed my education to align with my practice.”
That alignment, according to her, has reshaped her leadership approach and deepened her understanding of learning and capacity building. For Hungbo, education goes beyond certificates—it builds depth.
“The more you read, the more passion you gain,” she noted. “Reading teaches patience, focus, leadership, and human management.”
Balancing academic life with an already demanding business career was no easy feat. Managing multiple ventures while attending lectures tested her discipline, with time emerging as her greatest challenge.
“Sometimes I didn’t even want to go to class,” she admitted with a laugh. “You find yourself sitting with people younger than you addressing you as ma’am.”
Still, driven by passion and adaptability, she persevered. Leveraging effective time management and the flexibility of postgraduate studies, she moved seamlessly between classrooms and boardrooms. “I have passion for everything I do. So I go to school, go back to work, and repeat. I made it work,” she said.
As a leading voice in Nigeria’s digital media ecosystem and convener of the Bodex Social Media Hangout, Hungbo emphasised that education is indispensable in an influence-driven digital age.
“Education helps you understand alignment, manage misinformation, and avoid fake news,” she explained. “You can’t just talk out of point. You must know what you’re saying.”
Reflecting on a career that has included consulting at the highest levels—including serving as a public relations consultant to a sitting president—Hungbo said the degree completes the circle.
“Now, when I introduce myself, I say I’m an Industrial Chemist and a Mass Communicator. It fits perfectly into my larger vision.”
Beyond personal fulfillment, she remains focused on impact. She has already applied her academic experience through initiatives such as engaging over 1,200 students at UNILAG during the sixth edition of the Bodex Social Media Hangout. There, she championed social media for social good, information building, and self-development, while emphasising that Artificial Intelligence cannot replace human creativity.
Her next goal is equally ambitious: a nationwide digital media school tour. “We want to go from school to school with experts—journalists, influencers, media owners—to grow skills from the grassroots,” she said
