Meet the student bringing Afro-Caribbean culture to life at Dundalk IT

23-year-old Al-manniu Ariyo from Dundalk is a second-year Business and Technology student at DkIT. He chose the course because it combines his passion for IT with his creative drive.

Aspiring to one day start his own business, Al-manniu felt the mix of business and technology was an ideal foundation for his future ambitions. The college’s strong graduate employment rate and its proximity to home also made DkIT the perfect fit.

Beyond his studies, Al-manniu is the Chairman of DkIT’s African & Caribbean Society, a cultural group that celebrates the rich and diverse heritage of Afro-Caribbean communities both within DkIT and across Ireland. “We bring people together to celebrate and learn about African and Caribbean culture, aiming to unite people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities — and have loads of fun while doing it,” he says. 

In his role as chairperson, Al-Manniu leads a strong committee of 12 people who are committed to bringing together anyone interested in Afro-Caribbean culture or heritage. There are currently over 100 active members in the society and anyone else who is interested in taking part in the wide array of activities is always very welcome.

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Together, the group organise regular events such as games nights, debate sessions, and karaoke competitions — all designed to meet new people, make new friends and learn about new cultures. “The most rewarding part,” he explains, “is seeing people from different backgrounds and age groups come together to celebrate our shared heritage.”

Founded in 2010 as the Nigerian Society, the group has since evolved into the Afro-Caribbean Society to welcome students from across Africa and the Caribbean, currently including members with Nigerian, Ghanaian, Congolese, Jamaican, and Dominican heritage. “We’d really love to see even more Caribbean students join us in the future,” Al-manniu adds.

Al-manniu is proud to be Chairman of such a vibrant society, a nod to his Nigerian heritage. “My heritage and culture were a huge part of my childhood,” he says.

“Being part of the Afro-Caribbean Society gives me a chance to share my love for this culture — from the music to the food — while also learning about others.” His passion and ability to lead made taking on the role of Chairperson just feel like a natural fit.

Balancing his role with his studies is no small feat, but Al-manniu manages it with discipline. “I make myself a schedule and stick to it!” he laughs. “It doesn’t take away from my studies — if anything, it helps me develop soft skills like leadership, organisation and teamwork.”

Being Chairman is a varied role, but one that Al-manniu loves and in which he is hugely supported by the rest of the committee members. “As chairman of the society, I’ve got a number of responsibilities — from making sure events happen at the right time to keeping things inclusive and overseeing everything in general.

"But it’s definitely not a one-person job; the committee members are super hands-on and play a huge part in making the society a success.”

Recent events, such as a lively games night where attendees got to try delicious Jollof rice and meat pies, have drawn great interest across campus.

“We’re aiming to keep hosting great events that bring our community together and maybe even win an award soon!” Al-manniu says enthusiastically. Looking ahead, he’s especially excited for an upcoming debating event “It’s always good to see people with different opinions come together and express their thoughts on different topics,” he says.

Reflecting on his experience, Al-manniu says joining a society has been one of the best parts of college life. “Don’t be shy,” he advises future students. “You’ll find that a lot of other students have similar interests to you so why not come together and embrace them?”

Looking to the future, Al-manniu hopes to build a career in digital marketing before launching his own business. The skills he’s gained from leading the Afro-Caribbean Society — planning, coordination and teamwork — will no doubt serve him well. With more exciting events planned, including a charity fundraiser in the pipeline, it’s clear that Al-manniu and his team are only just getting started.