Dami Aluko Returns to FUNIS with a Message for the Moment
As students, staff, parents, and alumni gathered to mark the school’s 19th Prize Giving Ceremony and 16th Valedictory Service on Saturday, July 26th, 2025, at the FUNAAB International School (FUNIS), a familiar face stood behind the podium, not as a student this time, but as the guest speaker of the day. That face was Dami Aluko, the founder of the Damilare Aluko Foundation (DAF), and a proud FUNIS alumnus.
Dami didn’t just attend FUNIS, he graduated as the Best Graduating Student of his class. Years later, his story has come full circle.
Invited to speak on the theme “Staying Strong in Uncertain Times: How to Face Challenges and Grow from Them,” Dami delivered a message that was honest, personal, and deeply relevant to the times we’re living in. His delivery was more than a speech; it was a conversation. And the energy in the room said it all.
“Train your mind to do hard things. It builds your capacity, your character, your confidence. The harder thing to do, and the right thing to do, are usually the same.” — Dami Aluko, 2025 Guest Speaker at FUNIS Valedictory Service
A Message Rooted in Reality
Dami shared four key ideas that have helped shape his life and career:
Do hard things
Be excited about failure
Start failing early
Build and maintain strong relationships
These weren’t just talking points, they were drawn from real experiences. From applying to 34 scholarships (and getting only three), to getting stuck in unexpected academic detours, Dami reminded the students that growth doesn’t come from comfort zones. It comes from grit.
He told stories about classmates, mentors, family, and failures,all wrapped around one central truth: resilience is the secret ingredient behind most success stories. And the best time to start building it is yesterday. The next best time is now.
A Full-Circle Moment
For those who didn’t know, this wasn’t just another speaking gig. FUNIS is where Dami’s own journey began. He sat in those same seats. Wrote those same tests. Navigated the same pressures. And years later, he’s giving back to the place that shaped him.
A Lasting Impact
The feedback after the event made one thing clear: the message landed. Students were buzzing. Teachers were inspired. Parents felt reassured. Dami’s speech wasn’t just motivational, it was practical. And it gave every young person in that hall permission to fail, grow, and rise again.
And that’s what DAF is all about: celebrating excellence, supporting resilience, and empowering the next generation to keep going, even when the road gets rough.
To the graduating class of 2025, Dami’s final words were: “Choose not to be mediocre. Live to the best of your ability. Train your mind. Embrace failure. Learn from it. Grow from it. You’ve got this.
Want to collaborate with DAF or invite Dami to speak at your event? Reach out via our Contact Page.
