Cisco Networking Academy Strengthens Partnership with Covenant University in Strategic Visit

Covenant University’s dedication to fostering valuable academic-industry collaborations has once again yielded significant strides as the Cisco Networking Academy reaffirmed its commitment to the institution during a strategic visit. The longstanding partnership between Covenant University and Cisco continues to empower students with cutting-edge technological skills, entrepreneurship opportunities, and global recognition.

The Cisco team, led by Mr. Toyin Olatayo, Academy Support Commandant for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, included Mr. Austine Ijioma, Academy Support Advisor and Project Manager, and Mr. David Abodunrin, IT and Technology Specialist. The visit served as a platform to review the successes of their ongoing collaboration and explore new initiatives to enhance student development.

Receiving the team on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Timothy A. Anake, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lanre Amodu, lauded Cisco’s dedication to equipping students with industry-relevant skills. He emphasized Covenant University’s unwavering commitment to lifelong learning and innovation, underscoring the institution’s pioneering integration of entrepreneurship into its academic programs since its inception in 2002.

Professor Amodu highlighted the University’s focus on driving industry relevance and commercialization, urging for deeper collaborations between faculty and industry experts such as Cisco. He expressed optimism about seeing student-led projects evolve into commercially viable ventures, reinforcing Covenant University’s goal to be a pillar of technological advancement in Africa.

Mr. Olatayo commended Covenant University’s exceptional performance in the Cisco Academy Programme, noting that its students consistently excel in global competitions. He cited a recent achievement where a Covenant University student, Ireoluwa, secured third place in an international Cisco competition, further cementing the university’s reputation for academic excellence. He emphasized that the visit also provided an opportunity to familiarize the new university administration with Cisco’s longstanding engagement.

Mr. Ijioma provided updates on the entrepreneurship program initiated in the previous academic session, detailing its success in integrating first-year students into a seven-department structure focusing on various aspects of IT. The program included training, project exhibitions, and documentation of student projects for potential industrial application. Plans are in place to expand this initiative in 2025, incorporating advanced IT topics and higher-level courses to ensure students are equipped with in-demand industry skills.

A significant highlight of the visit was the announcement of a strategic partnership between Cisco and the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), which will provide students with exposure to the manufacturing sector. This collaboration will enable students to showcase their projects to industry leaders and attract potential investors. Ijioma referenced the Ota Youth Empowerment Programme, co-hosted by Covenant University and Cisco, as a successful initiative fostering industry-student engagement.

In addition to these developments, Cisco is set to introduce new certifications in emerging fields such as Data Science, Software Development, and Cinematography, designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Mr. Abodunrin emphasized Cisco’s goal of equipping students with industry-ready skills to enable self-reliance and entrepreneurship. He highlighted Cisco’s Internet of Things (IoT) training, which teaches students how to monitor locations remotely using mobile devices, ensuring that they graduate with practical, marketable skills.

Mr. Olatayo further elaborated on Cisco’s commitment to faculty development, revealing plans for workshops aimed at aligning professors with industry advancements. This initiative will ensure that final-year student projects have real-world applicability and attract potential investors. Additionally, Cisco is working closely with Covenant University to establish a manufacturing company on campus, allowing students to apply their technical skills in a real-world production environment.

Engr. Omotola Sunday Akinyeolu from the Centre for Systems and Computer Services (CSIS) disclosed that nearly 5,000 students have received Cisco certifications through the program. He emphasized that Cisco’s training extends beyond certifications, focusing on creating commercially viable products and establishing pathways for students to gain international exposure. He further outlined plans to connect students with both local and global industries through internships.

Professor Olaleke Oluseye Ogunnaike, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Development Studies (CEDS), expressed gratitude to Cisco for its significant contributions. He noted that Covenant University had incorporated Technopreneurship into its 100-level curriculum, with Cisco providing free training in this field while students only pay for certifications and tools.

Registrar Mr. Emmanuel Igban reaffirmed the University’s commitment to producing industry-ready graduates and urged Cisco to further deepen its partnership with the institution. He proposed the establishment of a Cisco Chair at Covenant University to enhance research, training, and collaboration.

In closing, Professor Amodu praised Cisco’s continued support, emphasizing the institution’s ambition to drive industry relevance and commercialization. "Covenant University is committed to being a stronghold in the industry, and with Cisco’s collaboration, we are poised to achieve remarkable breakthroughs," he stated.