The University of Ibadan (UI) has reaffirmed its commitment to producing graduates who are equipped not only with academic knowledge but also with entrepreneurial, innovative, and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Juwon Arotiba, made this known while representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, at the opening of a TETFund-sponsored Train-the-Trainer Workshop organised by the university’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI).
The workshop, themed “Start-up Entrepreneurship and Business Planning,” brought together student leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and representatives from various faculties, departments, halls of residence, and the Students’ Union.
Education Beyond Academic Learning
Professor Arotiba said the future of education must extend beyond traditional classroom instruction, emphasizing that universities should prepare students to identify societal challenges, develop innovative solutions, and create value through entrepreneurship.
He noted that today’s rapidly evolving world, driven by technological advancement and global connectivity, requires graduates who are creative, resilient, and capable of adapting to emerging opportunities.
According to him, entrepreneurship has become a critical driver of sustainable development and should be integrated into higher education to prepare students for the future economy.
Developing Technology Creators, Not Just Users
Professor Arotiba stressed that the university’s goal is to produce graduates who are not merely consumers of technology but creators capable of building businesses and developing solutions that address local challenges while competing globally.
He pointed to opportunities within the digital economy—including fintech, precision agriculture, healthcare innovation, and the creative industries—as areas where young entrepreneurs can make meaningful contributions.
He encouraged participants to approach the workshop with curiosity, collaborate with one another, and apply the knowledge gained to strengthen their ventures and contribute to national development.
Bridging Theory and Practice
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor emphasized the need for universities to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application, ensuring that research and teaching produce measurable benefits for society.
He reaffirmed the University of Ibadan’s commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial culture where innovation becomes a normal part of university life and where every promising idea has the potential to become a successful enterprise.
Professor Arotiba also commended the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation for its leadership in promoting entrepreneurship education and acknowledged the continued support of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in advancing innovation-driven learning.
Student Leaders as Entrepreneurship Ambassadors
Speaking at the event, the Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Professor Sherifat Aboaba, said the workshop was designed to equip student leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to promote entrepreneurship across the university.
She explained that participants would serve as peer educators, mentors, and ambassadors of entrepreneurship within their faculties, departments, student associations, and the wider university community.
Practical Entrepreneurship Training
During the one-day workshop, participants received practical training in several key areas, including:
- Fundamentals of entrepreneurship.
- Opportunity identification.
- Creativity and innovation.
- Business model development.
- Business planning.
- Financial literacy.
- Marketing strategies.
- Access to funding opportunities.
- Facilitation and leadership skills.
The workshop also featured goodwill messages from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships), Professor Simisola Akintola; Dr. Ibrahim Hammed, a Digital Finance Data Specialist at the Sanofi Innovation Hub in Budapest, Hungary; and the President of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union, Mr. Temidayo Sewanu Adeboye.
The speakers encouraged participants to maximize the opportunity by applying the knowledge gained to develop innovative businesses, promote entrepreneurship among their peers, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth through innovation and enterprise.
