When Okwudilichukwu “Dili” Ujubuonu first landed in Kenya on a chilly June morning, he had no idea that his journey at Strathmore University would include planting 40 trees, debating the merits of Kenyan vs. Nigerian jollof rice, and becoming an unofficial mental health advocate among his peers.

His name, “Okwudilichukwu,” means “Let the will of God be done.” Dili explained, “My grandmother passed away while my mother was pregnant; everyone expected a girl. When I was born a boy, they gave me this name. My life has mirrored it; every challenge led me here.”

Reflecting on how he first heard about Strathmore, Dili shared, “It all started years ago during my last year of Secondary School in 2019. I first heard about Strathmore from my mother, who works in the education system in Nigeria. I filled out an application form during an earlier admissions cycle. I got no response, so I decided to move on.”
He enrolled at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and spent a year and a half there. But then, COVID-19 hit. The university went on strike, and his world shifted. Between 2021 and 2023, Dili earned a City and Guilds in Mechanical Maintenance, Installation and Commissioning. He also obtained safety certifications, and worked for a year at an engineering firm.
“By early 2024, I planned to go study abroad,” he said. “But the collapsing Naira-to-dollar exchange rate shattered those plans.” His father suggested returning to a Nigerian university, which meant sitting for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam, infamously tough in Nigeria. “I was devastated. On February 16, 2024, I cried. I still remember the date. But then, I looked up at a portrait of Mother Mary on our wall, and something in me said, ‘You are going to Strathmore.’” Through a friend, Dili reapplied, got his admission letter, and began a new chapter.

Dili arrived in Kenya on June 17, 2024, at 2:00 a.m. amidst the Kenyan Gen-z maandamano (protests). “It was cold and my accommodation had not been properly booked. I called John Robert from admissions. Lydia from admissions and John were lifesavers. They found me temporary shelter for the night. The next morning; hungry, disoriented, and scared, I dragged my luggage to the University unsure what to do.”

His first Day at Strathmore? “The first person who truly helped me was Bill Chakairu, a fourth-year Bachelor Of Science In Informatics And Computer Science student. He met me at the chapel while praying for direction in this new country. He approached me, offered help, and became a close friend.”

Adjusting to a new culture wasn’t easy. “In Nigeria, greetings are warm. Here, I’d say ‘Good morning,’ and people would walk past with a curt ‘Morning.’” Finding suitable housing was also a struggle. Many hostels were overcrowded and didn’t meet his parents’ and his standards. Eventually, Dili found a better arrangement.

Why is Strathmore the right choice? Dili recalled a defining moment: “Someone said to me, ‘Dili, you’ve made the right decision coming here.’ And I can’t tell why it stuck, but it stuck.” Coming from a competitive Nigerian background, Dili found something different at Strathmore. “The first thing is that our lecturers don’t look down on anyone and they always encourage us to work together. This made me realize that I’d made the best decision by coming to this school.”

In his second semester, Dili struggled with some units taught by Mr. Titus Tunduny, Dr. Mary Achieng’ , Mr. Kelvin Kibunja and the late Mr. Kinyanjui Njoroge. He took the initiative of reaching out to them because he wanted to improve in these units. “I emailed them: ‘, I’m struggling to understand these topics. When can we meet?’ They responded quickly and sat with me like parents with their child. The results? I didn’t get an A, but I passed. In Nigeria, university lecturers are treated like gods. But at Strathmore, the lecturers walk beside you.”

Beyond academics, Dili has been active in several extracurriculars. “I volunteered during the Nairobi Open Day. I also joined a number of clubs: joined the debate club, explored the drama and marketing clubs, and even sang briefly in the choral group. But they kicked me out for poor attendance,” he admitted.
“They’re always practicing everyday, guys!”

Notably, Dili helped organize and celebrate the first Nigerian mass at Strathmore in September 2024. “I had just been here for less than three months and the first thing I did, I prayed for its success. Then I joined the Nigerian students’ group and rallied them to attend. I even taught the cafeteria how to make jollof rice. I wore my hairnet and felt like a head chef; like in The Bear ‘Yes chef! Yes chef!’” He rated their jollof rice 7/10. “They tried. They got the spiciness, but jollof rice has a soul and that soul was not ‘soul-ing’. But I loved it regardless. Thank you.” Lastly, Dili proudly represented Nigeria during Strathmore University’s Cultural Week, helping showcase Nigerian heritage and traditions.

Initially, Dili wasn’t fond of pilau. But hunger changed his mind. “It was exam season, I had only 200 shillings. I went to the PATE Cafeteria and got myself pilau. It was 120. I even got a soda. Ever since, I always go back for pilau.” He’s also had his fair share of our street food. Hellooo. “Chapati and smokies= (Smocha) were my favorite. Unfortunately, one day I was sending my friend to get me the same combo and I was informed that the police officers around that place had chased away all the vendors including my customer ‘Oh, those guys are no longer there.’ I was like, ‘Allaaah!’ That was my steady meal. I miss her. She still owes me 50 bob. But she can keep it. Maybe she’ll need it one day. But the chapati… she should just give me the equal amount of chapatis.”

When asked about friendships, Dili smiled. “There are so many people. Pritpal, currently the smartest girl in the whole of Bachelor of Science in Computer Networks and Cyber Security (CNS). Then Malcolm, Elsa, Madina, Danick, Roy, Joseph, Austin, Joy Ndira and Joy Munyiva, Devyan, Dean… and Success , another Nigerian.” During the first year, second semester, a difficult time hit in my life and these friends showed up to support me. “I was depressed. Missing home. I wasn’t going to class. They noticed. They got me notes, kept me posted, and visited me. It reminded me of when I was sick in Bonny and my classmates showed up for me. This time, they did the same and this made me feel home.”

Despite being the only one from his study group that did not make it to the Dean’s List this year, Dili remains determined. “Next year, we will go at it again.” Additionally, he says he was so happy the rest of the members made it there because the impact of the group was felt.

His advice to International students? “Every time you pray, please let this be your prayer: ‘God, give me good friends.’”

Reflecting on Men’s Mental Health Month, Dili shared his concern. “The Student Council didn’t do enough.” To address this, he started building a men’s community: The Gennesaret Project. It partners with The Manliness Project, founded by a staff member named Ram and others. “We host seminars. And listen, this isn’t just promotional content like those YouTube ads trying to sell you VPNs. This is real. It helped me see that, as a man, you need other men around you to get through hard times. No man is an island.” To the men: “If you need someone to talk to about anything, at any time of the day, please call or text me at 0794 3666 55 or email me at okwudili.ujubuonu@strathmore.edu. I will genuinely answer your calls and reply to your messages. I’m here.”

To International students, Dili advises, “Make good friends. Not just any friends, make good friends. My survival for one year in Kenya was because of the good friends I made. Life is full of stones, but the right friends will help you step over them.”

Article written by Teresa Nekesa