Finland’s President Stubb Delivers Historic Lecture at UoN
On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the University of Nairobi made history by hosting Finland’s President H.E. Alexander Stubb during his state visit to Kenya. At Taifa Hall, President Stubb delivered a compelling public lecture on “Geopolitics and the Transformation of the Multilateral Order.”
The scholar and author of New World Order explored the evolution of global power dynamics, emphasising three main blocs: the Global East, West and South. He highlighted the rising influence of the Global South and called for a reformed multilateral system that empowers all regions equally.
President Stubb underscored the need to reform institutions like the UN, WTO, and Bretton Woods systems to prevent global disorder, noting the paradox of nations turning away from global cooperation while facing shared challenges like climate change.
The event, attended by First Lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb, Education CS, Hon Julius Ogamba, UoN Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Verkooijen, Vice Chancellor (Ag), Prof. Margaret Hutchinson, diplomats, and scholars, marked 60 years of diplomatic relations between Kenya and Finland.
CS Ogamba praised Finland’s longstanding support in education through scholarships, while Chancellor Verkooijen emphasised Africa's need for investment and jobs, not aid. Prof. Hutchinson thanked both governments for choosing UoN to host the lecture and reaffirmed the university’s strategic partnership with the University of Helsinki.
President Stubb’s visit reaffirmed the role of education in diplomacy and the growing ties between Kenya and Finland.
