What We Learned About Campus Influence at U-CampCon1.0

The recent session on “Building Influence on Campus” brought together students, young leaders, and community-minded participants from different campuses for a conversation that blended practical guidance with lived experiences. The goal was simple: help attendees understand what real influence looks like within a campus environment and how it can be shaped with intention.

What followed was a thoughtful mix of ideas, examples, and frameworks that challenged participants to rethink how they show up, how they connect with people, and how they respond to the needs around them.

Why Influence Matters on Campus

The event opened with Joy Chukwu, who anchored the session with a warm invitation for attendees to engage, share, and participate actively. Her introduction was more than a welcome; it was a reminder that influence itself starts with participation.

She noted that campus spaces are filled with opportunities for people who are willing to speak up, collaborate, and create solutions. That tone set the foundation for what became a highly interactive discussion.

A Conversation Led by Experience: Priscilia Amadi Takes the Floor

The main speaker, Priscilia Amadi, the founder of Service Culture Academy popularly known as the Service Culture Evangelist, led the core of the session. Her delivery was grounded and relatable, pushing participants to reflect on their capacity to make a real difference during their time on campus.

Priscilia didn’t begin with slides or theories. Instead, she invited attendees to share their thoughts, personal insights, and even their favorite moments. This unconventional opening wasn’t just for fun; it helped lower the room’s emotional guard and encouraged people to speak authentically.

She emphasized that influence is not a performance. It’s not about curated images, inflated narratives, or online popularity. It’s the result of consistency, character, and the willingness to do meaningful work, even when no one is watching.

Key Themes and Strategies Explored During the Session

The session covered several themes that captured what it takes to build a presence people notice and respect:

1. Using Digital Culture with Intention

The conversation examined the role of social media in shaping modern campus influence. While trends and viral moments can help amplify a message, Priscilia stressed the importance of using these platforms with clarity and purpose:

• Not every trend is meaningful.

• Not every viral moment has impact.

• Digital influence must align with genuine values.

Participants discussed how thoughtful engagement online can create visibility that actually leads to trust and long-term influence.

2. The Strength of Small Communities

A major insight from the speaker was the power of small, committed groups. Many well-known campus initiatives started with just a handful of people who shared a goal and stayed consistent.

These micro-communities often grow quietly at first, then eventually become the backbone of student culture because of their integrity and direction.

This point resonated strongly with attendees who may feel pressure to “go big” immediately, forgetting that most meaningful influence grows slowly.

3. Collaboration Across Departments

The speaker expanded the conversation by highlighting the importance of cross-department collaboration. Surprisingly, very few participants had ever collaborated outside their immediate faculty or department.

This opened up a discussion about how influence grows stronger when students extend their reach beyond familiar circles, bridging communities that normally don’t interact.

4. Influence Before Social Media: Lessons from Earlier Generations

To show that influence is not a new concept, the session explored life before the digital era. Examples included student-led community clean-ups, donation drives, and advocacy campaigns long before social platforms became mainstream.

These stories illustrated a timeless truth: the most trusted voices are the ones whose actions speak louder than their promotions.

Spotlighting Real Influencers Across Nigerian Campuses

The session also highlighted students who have established credible influence on different campuses, serving as real-life examples for participants:

• Gilmo and Fola from the University of Lagos, known for their leadership and presence

• Influential figures like Sidney Stalker and Nduka Judith Chidera, whose work has shaped conversations in their communities

These examples helped participants understand influence as something practical and achievable, not abstract or reserved for a select few.

The emphasis remained clear: influence is not determined by follower counts but by the depth of relationships you build and the impact of the work you do consistently.

A Four-Step Framework for Building Influence

Toward the end of the session, participants were given a clear, actionable formula they can adapt to their own goals:

1. Identify a Problem

Pay attention to the actual needs around you — not imagined or exaggerated problems.

2. Create a Solution

Design something small, simple, and relevant. Influence grows from usefulness.

3. Invite Engagement

Share, collaborate, involve others. Influence thrives in community, not isolation.

4. Execute Consistently

Consistency is the real differentiator. Most campus initiatives fail not because they lack ideas, but because they stop too early.

This framework gave attendees a structured way to think about influence beyond inspiration — something they can start applying immediately.

Facing Today’s Campus Challenges with Realism

Participants also discussed major issues many students encounter today:

• Misinformation

• Mental health struggles

• Lack of guidance

• Fragmented communities

• Pressure to live up to unrealistic standards

The conversation encouraged attendees to build solutions that are authentic, empathetic, and sustainable. Influence grows when people trust you enough to listen.

The session reminded everyone present that influence is a journey built on clarity, consistency, service, and courage. It’s the small, repeated actions that eventually shape perception and build a legacy.

Those who attended didn’t just leave with motivation, they left with a clearer sense of direction, a network of peers, and a toolkit they can apply within their campus communities.