Chukwumerije was given the award for his efforts to add value to taekwondo, coupled with his exceptional contribution and commitment to creating positive social change and improving the lives of others at the inaugural Education UK Alumni Award for Social Impact.

Chukwumerije, who won his Olympic bronze medal at Beijing 2008 in the over 80 kilograms category, was honoured alongside other prominent Nigerians. 

The Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation holds various taekwondo events around Nigeria to try to find new talent. 

"The work that is being done was not started with the purpose of winning any award," said Chukwumerije. 

“The greatest reward will be to see that participants in our programmes do very well for themselves for decades to come, and point back to these programmes as the turning point in their lives. 

"There are many people to thank whose contribution has, in one way or the other, influenced the work I currently do with my Sports Foundation."

Chukwumerije, 32, attended the University of Liverpool, where he graduated in 2010 with a degree in operations and supply chain management.

“I want to thank the British Council for providing this platform to recognise and encourage Nigerians doing inspirational things in their various careers," he said. 

"I want to thank Ms. Faith Osiobe, who nominated me without my permission and literally bullied me through the application process.

“I want to thank Dan Stephenson, who personally took my application to the University of Liverpool in 2009, and then flew all the way to Lagos just for the Award night.

"I want to thank the University of Liverpool for such a beautiful learning experience while I was there. 

"Concepts like value creation, time and resources management, waste elimination, operations and strategy became real in my daily life, and helped me totally revamp my approach to my work."