AI Takes Centre Stage as ACU Hosts Entrepreneurship Exhibition in Oyo

Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, has reaffirmed its commitment to innovation and skills development with the hosting of its annual Entrepreneurship Seminar and Exhibition themed “Artificial Intelligence and the Nigerian Entrepreneurial Landscape.”

The event, held on Tuesday, 2nd June, 2026, brought together students, faculty members, and industry stakeholders and served as a platform to showcase the university’s sustained drive toward producing graduates equipped with both academic knowledge and practical digital and entrepreneurial competencies suited for a fast-evolving global economy.

In her address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebunoluwa Oduwole, represented by Prof. Roland Isibor, Dean, Faculty of Natural Sciences, said the university has developed a world-class curriculum that integrates digital skills with conventional academic knowledge to produce globally competitive graduates relevant in both local and international industries.

She noted that the ongoing digital revolution has introduced essential tools that enhance productivity across all sectors, stressing the need for institutions to prepare students for a future increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. She further explained that the programme reflects the institution’s strategic vision, supported by deliberate planning and an enabling ecosystem designed to foster excellence and capacity development.

Prof. Oduwole also disclosed that ACU offers over twenty skill-based courses, enabling students to acquire entrepreneurial competencies backed by certificates of proficiency. She commended trainers for their dedication and expressed confidence that student innovations would evolve into successful brands contributing to national development.

Earlier, the Director, Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, Dr. Oluwaseyi Adedipe, emphasised the importance of passion, adaptability, and continuous learning in today’s business environment. He stated that students are trained to understand the values, ethics, and cultural systems of their chosen vocations while preparing for a future where humans and machines increasingly complement each other.

He also highlighted the realities of Nigeria’s business environment, noting that it requires individuals to be resourceful, pragmatic, teachable, and proactive in navigating its unique challenges and opportunities.

Speaking during the exhibition segment, the Entrepreneurship Development Officer, Dr. Peter Oiku, explained that the programme includes annual seminars where alumni engage with students, exposing them to real-world experiences beyond the classroom. He added that students in 200 and 300 levels showcase vocational skills through individual and group exhibitions, which form part of their academic assessment.

According to him, the exhibition allowed students to demonstrate creativity, build capacity, and sell their products to members of the university community at affordable prices, thereby gaining practical experience in marketing and customer relations.

A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of an entrepreneurship magazine designed to document innovative ideas, success stories, and emerging trends within the entrepreneurial ecosystem inside and outside the university.

The Entrepreneurial Studies committee also expressed appreciation to the university management for its continued support and leadership in promoting a culture of self-reliance and innovation among students.

The annual seminar and exhibition further reinforces Ajayi Crowther University’s position as an institution committed not only to academic excellence but also to the practical empowerment of students for the demands of the 21st-century workplace.