From the Office of the Welfare Lead, ABUAD Alumni Association
It was 11:43pm in January 2025 when my phone rang.
“Bro, I have lost everything.”
Segun was Class of 2018, First Class in Engineering. By 2024, he was lead engineer at a tech startup. Then funding dried up. Five months of salary went unpaid. His landlord locked his apartment. His eight-month pregnant wife was in the village. His words stuck with me: “I don’t even know who to call. I no want pity. I just want make somebody wey understand, confirm say I no dey lie.”
That night, four of us alumni pooled ₦1 million and got him a room, linked him to an HR alumna for CV support, and six weeks later he had two job offers.
Segun’s story is why Alumni Welfare exists. Welfare is not a “help the poor” charity , it’s a “hold your brother up” community. Because school don finish, but life no finish. Job loss, medical bills, bereavement, depression, relocation challenges, these things don’t check your degree before they visit. So how do we make sure help reaches the right people, fast, and without shame? We built a process.
How Alumni Welfare Works: The 4-Step Process
| Step | What Happens | Timeline | Why It Protects You |
| 1. Reach Out | You, family, or a trusted classmate contacts the welfare desk via a confidential form or WhatsApp. | Anytime | You control who knows. No public post needed. |
| 2. Verify Quietly | Welfare committee calls you and one referee you nominate. We confirm the need, not interrogate your life. | 24–48 hrs | Stops fraud. Protects donor funds and your dignity. |
| 3. Approve & Act | Committee approves. Medical/job loss emergencies move in 72 hrs. All other cases: 7 days max. | 72 hrs–7 days | Speed saves lives. Delay kills trust. |
| 4. Support & Follow-Up | We disburse funds, link experts, or mobilise alumni support. A volunteer checks in after 30 days. | Ongoing | Welfare isn’t one-off cash, it’s “we dey with you.” |
FAQs: Let’s Clear the Air
Who qualifies for welfare support?
Any financial member of the alumni body who has paid dues at least once in the past 24 months, or any recent graduate within their first year of leaving ABUAD. Non-financial members can still access non-cash support: mentorship, job leads, and legal advice.
Will people know my business?
No. Only three people see your full details: the two verifiers and the Treasurer. The wider committee votes on anonymous case numbers. For example, Case #ABUAD/24/011 – Medical – ₦450k needed. Your name stays with us.
What if someone is lying?
That’s why Step 2 exists. We don’t believe or doubt, we verify. We call your HOD, hospital, employer, or named referee. Fraud hurts real people who need help, and we owe it to them to check.
Where does the money come from?
Three sources: voluntary annual dues; targeted donations for specific cases; and alumni business partnerships. All spending is signed off by the President, Welfare Lead, and Treasurer. A quarterly inflow and outflow summary is published , no names, just figures.
What does welfare NOT cover?
Business capital, weddings, birthday parties, or lifestyle upgrades. We handle shocks, not wants. Medical emergencies, bereavement, sudden job loss, eviction, mental health crises, and legal emergencies.
The Real Benefit? We Stop Losing People
Since tightening this process in 2024, the welfare team has handled 19 cases. Fourteen alumni are back on their feet. Five started businesses the network now patronises. Three became donors.
We wore the same matric gown. The goal is simple: make sure we all get to wear agbada at 70, healthy and together.
Need help?
WhatsApp the Welfare Desk: +2347053775765
Email: [email protected]
– Lukman O. Oshiobugie
Economist | Leadership Development Advocate
Welfare Lead | Chairman ABUAD Alumni Welfare TrustFund Board.
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