By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale has charged students of the university not to allow their certificates to limit them in the future.
He gave the charge at a one-day sensitization workshop organized by the university’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, with the theme: “Unlocking your entrepreneurial potential”.
Giving his opening address entitled “Igniting the spark”, Professor Adebowale acknowledged that the present world is characterized by rapid technological change, dynamic economic landscapes, and evolving global challenges.
He noted that traditional career paths, while still valuable, are no longer the sole avenues for success and societal impact, adding that Nigeria, and indeed Africa, face the critical challenge of youth unemployment.
According to the VC, the solution does not lie merely in seeking existing jobs, but in creating them, stressing that this is where entrepreneurship and innovation become essential survival skills and powerful engines for national development.
He furthered that the University of Ibadan, as Nigeria’s premier university, has a sacred duty that transcends the dissemination of knowledge, reiterating that the university is tasked with moulding solution-finders, job creators, and societal transformers.
The Vice Chancellor explained that the purpose of establishing the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation was not for it to be just another administrative unit; but a unit that is focused on embedding an entrepreneurial spirit within the DNA of the University of Ibadan.
He said that CEI serves as the hub where theoretical knowledge converges with practical application, where ideas are nurtured, prototypes are developed, and viable businesses are birthed.
Professor Adebowale restated that the sensitization program would serve the purpose of awakening the entrepreneurial consciousness of the participants, emphasizing that it will shift their mindsets from “Can I get a job?” to “What problem can I solve?” and “How can I build something meaningful?”
He commended the Director of CEI, Professor Sherifat Aboaba for organizing the sensitization programme, asserting that it is the crucial first step for the students towards self-discovery, economic empowerment, and contributing meaningfully to the development of the nation.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, Professor Aboaba stated that students need to think beyond their certificates, encouraging participants at the programme to explore the entrepreneurial dimension of their courses of study.
She stressed that the university community needs to know more about the activities and programmes of the Centre beyond the GES courses students are required to register in the course of their academic sojourn, hence the initiative of organizing the sensitization workshop.
Keynote addresses were delivered by Kayode Adebayo, Founder/CEO Ckrowd.com, and Ifeoluwa Olatayo, Founder/CEO of Soupah Kitchen & Co, Ibadan.
A question and answer session also followed the guest speakers’ sessions, and some participants were afforded opportunities to pitch their business ideas.
