A Day in Ghana as a Nigerian Student
How Ikechukwu Alfred crossed one border, found Robotics Engineering in Africa, and built a student life shaped by innovation, leadership and community.
He was supposed to go to Germany.
That was the plan until a representative from a university he had never heard of walked into his secondary school and said two words: Robotics Engineering. Those words changed the course of his future.
Today, Ikechukwu Alfred is a Level 300 student at Academic City University in Accra. Unlike many students who look beyond Africa in search of a world-class education, Ikechukwu chose a different path. He stayed, crossed one border, and found something more valuable than what he was originally looking for: a university committed to innovation, technology and developing the next generation of African problem-solvers.
We sat down with him to learn more about his journey, what influenced his decision to study in Ghana, and why Nigerian students and their parents may want to take a closer look at the opportunities of studying in Ghana.
Ikechukwu Alfred
Level 300 · Robotics Engineering
Academic City University, Accra · From Delta State, Nigeria
What was the very first thing you did when you arrived in Accra? Did Ghana surprise you in any way?
One of the first things that stood out to me when I arrived in Accra was the warmth and hospitality of Ghanaians. The friendliness towards strangers genuinely surprised me. Moving to a new country can feel intimidating at first, but the welcoming nature of the people made the transition much easier and helped me settle in quickly.
What first inspired you to choose Robotics Engineering out of all the programs you could have studied?
I have always been fascinated by how things work — from cars to airplanes to everyday electronics. I constantly found myself wondering about the logic, systems, and mechanics behind them. By the age of 13, I had already decided I wanted to study Robotics Engineering because it combined my interests in electronics, programming, mechanics, and innovation into one field.
Originally, I was exploring universities in Germany. But during my final year of high school, Academic City University visited my school and introduced their newly established Robotics Engineering program. The idea of studying Robotics Engineering in Africa and using that knowledge to contribute to Africa's development strongly aligned with my personal values and long-term vision. After researching the university further, I knew it was an opportunity worth pursuing.
Engineering is not just about building machines — it is about building solutions that improve lives.
Walk us through the most exciting project you have worked on as a Robotics student.
It is difficult to choose just one, but one that stands out was a precision agriculture system I developed as part of my third-year Embedded Systems course. The project consisted of a transmitter and receiver system designed to collect environmental and agricultural data from farmland and transmit it over distances of more than five kilometres.
The idea was to reduce the need for farmers to physically walk across large farms just to monitor conditions. Instead, they could access real-time information remotely and make faster, more informed decisions. What made the experience so exciting was that it showed me how robotics and embedded systems can solve practical African problems beyond the stereotypical image of humanoid robots. That project reminded me that engineering is not just about building machines — it is about building solutions that improve lives.
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LEADERSHIP ROLES HELD
If you had only one sentence to describe what studying at Academic City is really like, what would you say?
Academic City is more than a university; it is a community that challenges you to grow, supports you through difficulties, and pushes you to become the best version of yourself.
What has been your single best decision since arriving at Academic City?
My best decision was choosing to volunteer actively within the university community. From media coverage and student outreach to admissions trips and campus events, volunteering exposed me to people from different industries and backgrounds, expanded my professional network, and gave me valuable real-world experience outside the classroom. It taught me the importance of initiative, communication, and putting yourself in environments where opportunities can find you.
What does a typical day in your life look like as a Nigerian student studying Robotics Engineering in Accra?
A typical day usually starts early — I am often up by 7:00 a.m. preparing for classes, which begin around 8:35 a.m. Most days are quite full. Between classes, assignments, lab work, project development, and extracurricular activities, there is rarely a completely free day.
After lectures, I usually spend time at the admissions or marketing office looking for opportunities to volunteer. I also make it a habit to stop by the electronics lab or engineering workshop to work on practical skills. Robotics is a very hands-on field, so I try to learn as much as possible outside the classroom. Balancing everything can be stressful — there are days when deadlines and responsibilities all seem to collide at once. But over time, I have learned that success here is really about time management, discipline, and knowing how to balance academics with personal growth.
Outside of lectures and labs, what have you thrown yourself into at Academic City?
Outside of academics, I have been deeply involved in student leadership, volunteering, and the creative arts. I volunteered across admissions, media, and student engagement initiatives, which helped me develop strong communication and networking skills. I was also actively involved in the Arts, Media and Drama Club, where I played lead roles in two stage productions, headlined the annual Tertulia event, and served as Head of Media.
I am the Founding President of the Creative Collective, served as General Secretary of the Robotics Club, and worked as Assistant Head of Media and Publicity for NSBE-ACity. I was selected as my class speaker during matriculation and today serve as the Public Relations and Communication Officer (P.R.O.) for the Academic City Student Council. These experiences have shaped me just as much as my academics, teaching me leadership, teamwork, creativity, and the value of community building.
What is one thing Academic City does that you genuinely have not seen or heard of elsewhere?
One thing that stands out to me is how accessible the lecturers and faculty are. There is a strong culture of mentorship and collaboration here. Students are encouraged to ask questions, experiment, and pursue ideas outside the classroom. The university also places a strong emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurship, and practical problem-solving rather than only theoretical learning — which makes the learning experience feel genuinely connected to the real world.
A Nigerian student is reading this right now — maybe curious, maybe hesitant, maybe their parents are asking "why Ghana?" What do you say directly to them?
Do your research, keep an open mind, and don't limit yourself geographically. Sometimes the best opportunities are in places you least expect. Academic City provides a very modern and practical learning environment, especially for technology and engineering-related fields. Beyond academics, you gain exposure to people, cultures, and opportunities that help you grow personally and professionally.
For parents — Ghana offers a safe and welcoming environment for students, and Academic City genuinely invests in preparing students not just for exams, but for industry and leadership in the real world.
Three years later, he is building solutions for Africa.
Ikechukwu came to Accra as a curious 18-year-old from Delta State with a dream to build things that matter. Three years later, he designed agricultural technology for African farmers, led a student creative movement, performed on stage, represented hundreds of students as their P.R.O., and built a network that stretches far beyond any lecture hall.
His story is not unique to him — it is the kind of story Academic City University is quietly building.
If you are a Nigerian student weighing your options, or a parent wondering whether Ghana is the right call, consider what Ikechukwu found on the other side of that decision: a rigorous education, a warm community, real-world experience, and the space to become far more than just a graduate.
Your Story Could Be Next.
Application is now open. Join a generation of African engineers,
innovators, and leaders building the future — right here on the continent.
