Finnish President HE Alexander Stubb gives his public lecture at Taifa Hall.
On May 13, 2025, the University of Nairobi welcomed Finnish President H.E. Alexander Stubb during his official visit to Kenya. At a landmark event held at Taifa Hall, President Stubb delivered a thought-provoking public lecture titled “Geopolitics and the Transformation of the Multilateral Order.”
In his address, the scholar and former Prime Minister outlined the shifting global power structure, identifying the Global East, West, and South as the main players. He emphasized the growing role of the Global South in shaping a new world order and championed a multilateral system that is more inclusive and representative.
President Stubb called for urgent reforms to global institutions such as the UN, WTO, and Bretton Woods system, warning that without change, global instability may worsen amid crises like climate change and conflict.
The event drew key dignitaries, including Finland’s First Lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb, Education CS Hon Julius Ogamba, University of Nairobi Chancellor Prof. Patrick Verkooijen and Vice Chancellor (Ag) Prof. Margaret Hutchinson. The occasion also celebrated 60 years of Kenya-Finland diplomatic relations, with CS Ogamba acknowledging Finland’s contributions to Kenyan education through scholarships and partnerships.
Prof. Verkooijen urged investment in Africa’s youth and innovation, while Prof. Hutchinson praised the strengthening ties with Finnish institutions, particularly the University of Helsinki, one of the University of Nairobi’s strategic partners. She thanked both governments for supporting this historic moment and reaffirmed UoN’s role in global academic dialogue.
President Stubb’s visit underscored education’s central role in diplomacy and development, further solidifying Kenya and Finland’s commitment to multilateralism and global cooperation.
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