"At the University of Ibadan, we Recognise that the Future of Education must Transcend the Classroom" says DVC

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic at the University of Ibadan, Professor Juwon T. Arotiba, FWACS, FICD, has stated that at the University of Ibadan, it is recognised that the future of education must transcend the classroom and that it must equip learners with the capacity to identify problems, design solutions, and create value.

He made the statement in an address he delivered on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, at the opening of a TETFund-sponsored Train-the-Trainer Workshop organised by the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), University of Ibadan.

The Theme of the Workshop was "Start-up Entrepreneurship and Business Planning." Participants included executive members of the Students Union, members of the Students Representative Council, Presidents of faculties, Chairpersons of Departments, Hall Chairpersons, and student entrepreneurs and innovators. 

Professor Arotiba said the theme was timely, given that we are in an era defined by rapid technological change and global inter-connectivity, and in which entrepreneurship has become the cornerstone of sustainable development, and a mindset that values creativity, resilience, and innovation.

He noted that by training trainers, we multiply impact, empower educators who will, in turn, inspire a generation of innovators capable of transforming Nigeria's economy.

He said that opportunity today is increasingly digital adding that from precision agriculture to fintech, from health innovation to creative industries, the digital economy offers limitless possibilities.

He stated that the challenge before the University is to ensure that its graduates are not merely consumers of technology but creators, capable of building enterprises that compete globally while addressing local needs. 

He, therefore, urged every participant to approach the workshop with curiosity and commitment, learn, collaborate, and experiment adding that the skills they acquire will not only strengthen their ventures but also contribute to national development.

Professor Arotiba stated that the challenge is to ensure that UI graduates are not merely consumers of technology but creators, capable of building enterprises that compete globally while addressing local needs.

He stated that the academics, must continue to bridge the gap between theory and practice between gown and town, to ensure that research and teaching translate into tangible societal progress.

He reaffirmed the University's dedication to fostering entrepreneurship as a pillar of academic excellence nurturing a culture where innovation is not an exception but a norm, where every idea has the potential to become an enterprise, and where education truly empowers transformation.

He commended the CEI for its visionary leadership and the TETFund for its unwavering support in advancing entrepreneurial education within the University.

The Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Professor Sherifat A. Aboaba reiterated the commitment of the CEI to promoting Entrepreneurship education and cultivating an entrepreneurial culture within the University.  

She stated that the Train-the-Trainer workshop was carefully designed to prepare student leaders not only to understand the principles of entrepreneurship and business planning but also to serve as peer educators, mentors, and ambassadors of entrepreneurship within their various faculties, departments, associations and the wider student community.

To achieve the objectives of the one-day workshop, participants were engaged in interactive sessions covering the fundamentals of Entrepreneurship, opportunity identification, creativity and innovation, business model development, business planning, financial literacy, marketing strategies, access to funding opportunities, and effective facilitation techniques. 

The sessions which were designed to provide both theoretical understanding and practical tools which participants could immediately apply were facilitated by:

● Ms Ifeoluwa Olatayo, CEO Soupah Limited - Understanding Start-up Entrepreneurship and the Ecosystem.

● Mr Abayomi Ogunsanya, Prudencia Resources Limited - Start-up Financing and Business Planning. 

● Professor Ademola Lewis, Dean of Students, UI - Emotional Intelligence for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Start-up Success.

● Mrs Olubukola G. Yomi-Akinola, CEI Facilitator, Seasoned Entrepreneur Educator - Nurturing the Next Generation of UI's Innovators and Entrepreneurs.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Professor Simisola O. Akintola; a Digital Finance Data Specialist at the Sanofi

Innovation Hub, Budapest, Hungary, Dr Ibrahim Hammed; and Mr Temidayo Sewanu Adeboye, President of the UI Students Union.