Prof. Akolisa (Ako) Ufodike, a Nigerian-Canadian finance professional, public servant and academic, has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions to public service, governance and diversity in Canada.
The medal, created to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6, 2023, honours individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada, its provinces and communities, or who have achieved remarkable accomplishments that bring credit to the nation.
Prof. Ufodike’s recognition highlights his extensive impact in public administration, academia and corporate governance.
As Alberta’s Deputy Minister of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism, he made history as the first Black-Albertan and the first Nigerian-Canadian to hold such a position in Canada.
Beyond his government service, Prof. Ufodike is a leading researcher on diversity in board governance. As the founder of the John Ware Institute, he has helped increase Black representation in corporate boardrooms, successfully placing over 70 Black directors and significantly increasing the number of certified Black directors in Canada.
His efforts have earned him numerous accolades, including the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) Established Leader Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.
Reflecting on the recognition, Prof. Ufodike expressed gratitude while acknowledging personal milestones and challenges.
“Indeed, 2024 was a year full of blessings, and I have much to be thankful for,” he said.
“I also started 2025 on a high note, discovering in January that I had been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal back in 2022—though I only just found out. Delayed blessings are now manifesting! And today, I am deeply humbled to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal,” he added.
The official investiture ceremony took place on March 3, 2025, at McDougall Centre, Government House, Calgary, attended by dignitaries and other distinguished recipients. The date held special significance for Prof. Ufodike, as it coincided with his daughter’s 16th birthday.
He now joins an esteemed group of 474 recipients in Alberta, including former Premiers, Chief Justices, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), and exceptional individuals recognized for their contributions to Canada.
Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, congratulated Prof. Ufodike on this milestone, describing it as a recognition of his dedication to public service, governance and diversity.
“The medal is a well-deserved honour, going by the trajectory of his successful journey, dedication, unwavering and relentless strive to greatness,” she said in a statement released by the Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols of the Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
She encouraged him to remain committed to service, stating that the medal marks yet another milestone in his impactful career.
