School of Law alumnus named as winner in prestigious British Council Awards

The School of Law is delighted that alumnus Dimeji Sofowora (LLB Law, 2013) has won a British Council Study UK Alumni Award in the Business and Innovation Award category in Nigeria.

Mr Sofowora was presented with his award on 28 February at a ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria. 

Celebrating global impact through UK education 

These awards recognise leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, industries and countries. This year the British Council received over 1,700 applications from around the world.  

The awards span four categories: Science and Sustainability, Business and Innovation, Social Action, and Culture, Creativity and Sport, highlighting the diverse ways in which UK alumni are driving change around the world. 

Mr Sofowora began his journey at Leeds in 2009, choosing an unconventional foundation-year combination of English, Economics, and Mathematics, “a reflection of my interest in multidisciplinary problem-solving”. This early training, he explains, helped him “learn to dissect complex challenges systematically, to see beyond surface symptoms to structural causes”.

From Goldman Sachs to groundbreaking health innovation in Africa 

After graduating from Leeds and earning an LLM in Banking Law and Finance with distinction from Queen Mary University of London, Mr Sofowora gained early experience at Goldman Sachs before joining leading Nigerian firm Aluko & Oyebode advising on major M&A transactions.  

Still, a deeper concern persisted: I was facilitating capital flows in traditional sectors while Africa's most critical systems, particularly healthcare, remained analogue, in efficient, and inaccessible to those who needed them most.

This conviction led him to co‑found Helium Health “to tackle this challenge at scale and accelerate Africa's transition to a data-driven healthcare sector”, and within a year Mr Sofowora has left to focus on the company full-time “managing law, finance, and investor relations in its early stages to save critical start-up costs”. 

We are incredibly proud of Dimeji’s achievements and delighted to see his leadership recognised on such a prestigious global stage. His work is a powerful example of how the skills, curiosity and ambition nurtured during a Leeds education can drive meaningful change far beyond the University. Dimeji’s innovative contributions to transforming healthcare systems across Africa demonstrate not only professional excellence, but a deep commitment to improving lives and strengthening communities. He is an inspiration to our students, staff, and alumni around the world.

Key achievements at Helium Health 

• Built HeliumOS, Africa’s first comprehensive EMR and hospital management platform 

• Launched HeliumCredit, which has “disbursed over $11 million to healthcare providers” 

• Digitised 400+ healthcare facilities 

• Managed 2+ million patient records 

• Trained 10,000+ health workers 

• Improved maternal health outcomes for 2.6 million women 

Today, Helium Health is the leading provider of digital health and public health software across much of sub-Saharan Africa.

Supported by more than $40 million in investment; from Tencent, AXA, Global Ventures, and Y Combinator; and partnerships with the Gates Foundation, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) for Mothers, GSMA, and Google, Helium Health has become a cornerstone of digital transformation across the region. 

How UK education shaped his leadership and vision 

Sofowora credits the UK’s educational environment with shaping his entrepreneurial leadership.

What distinguished my UK university education wasn't merely the quality of instruction, but the specific intellectual culture it fostered.

At Leeds, leadership roles such as Head of Sports for the Afro-Caribbean Society and captain of the football team taught him the importance of teamwork and community-building. Meanwhile, involvement in trading and investment societies honed the financial and analytical skills crucial to scaling Helium Health. 

Studying in the UK also exposed me to a global network of thinkers and problem-solvers, broadening my worldview and reinforcing the belief that African solutions can compete on a global stage.

His studies, he explains, built “a systems-level understanding of how law, finance, and innovation interact”, forming the foundation for his ability to build sustainable digital infrastructure in African healthcare. 

Inspiring the next generation through mentorship and advocacy 

Beyond his professional achievements, Mr Sofowora is committed to mentoring young Nigerians and promoting the value of UK education. 

He frequently speaks at business and innovation forums across Africa, sharing lessons about “systematic thinking, rigorous analysis, and proper institutional foundations”. He also advises prospective students that studying in the UK offers “a different way of thinking, genuine intellectual diversity, and exposure to how sophisticated systems function”.

His mentorship extends to early-stage founders, where he provides guidance on investment strategy, corporate governance, and scaling businesses responsibly. 

Driven by impact, not accolades 

Reflecting on Helium Health’s achievements, Mr Sofowora notes that while honours like Forbes 30 Under 30 and the Aso Villa Demo Day Award are meaningful, the true impact lies in the lives changed.  

I am most proud of the human stories: health workers empowered with data, and mothers returning home safely because their clinics finally have better systems, trained staff, and reliable supplies.

Study UK Alumni Awards – a platform for global recognition 

The British Council’s Study UK Alumni Awards provide a platform to showcase the global reach and influence of UK higher education. Finalists and winners gain international recognition, expand their professional networks, and inspire future generations of students. 

Discover the School of Law’s global impact 

The success of this alumnus highlights the School of Law’s role in shaping future leaders who are equipped to tackle global challenges with creativity, integrity, and purpose.  

Explore how the School of Law empowers students to become global changemakers. Learn more about our programmes, international community, and alumni success stories by visiting our School of Law website.