FUTA Alumnus Daniel Adeniyi Trains Students on Solar Technology through Tech Incubation Centre

The Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) continues to uphold its mission of producing self-reliant graduates, highlighted by the recent initiative of alumnus Daniel Adeniyi, a 2024 Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduate and CEO of Imole Solar.

On March 11, 2026, Adeniyi presented certificates to 13 successful trainees of Imole Solar Engineering, a programme conducted in collaboration with FUTA’s Technology Park and Incubation Centre (Tech Pic).

Adeniyi, who founded Project Imole Engineering Ltd (Imole Solar) shortly after graduation, has rapidly made a name for himself in the solar energy and tech sectors. At the ceremony, he emphasized that his inspiration stems from FUTA’s motto, “Technology for Self Reliance”, which he described as a guiding principle actively reinforced by the university. The trainees completed both online and practical sessions, and Adeniyi assured that they represent some of the brightest engineering talents in the nation.

He highlighted the company’s commitment to solving Nigeria’s power challenges and acknowledged FUTA management and Tech Pic, particularly the Director, for creating opportunities that allowed Imole Solar to thrive.

Representing FUTA Vice Chancellor Professor Adenike Oladiji, Deputy Vice Chancellor Development Professor Sunday Oluyamo praised the initiative, noting that Tech Pic bridges the gap between university research and societal application, ensuring FUTA products are marketable and traceable back to the institution. He lauded Adeniyi’s rapid national impact just two years post-graduation, highlighting that FUTA’s vision is to produce employers of labour and innovators rather than job seekers.

Tech Pic Director Engr/Professor Olubanjo Obafemi reiterated that the centre nurtures ideas and research into prototypes, providing students and staff with opportunities to bring their technological innovations to reality. He commended Adeniyi for training students free of charge, reinforcing the culture of giving back to the alma mater.

Trainee representative Ayansola Edwin expressed gratitude for the hands-on training, emphasizing that they learned practical solar installation, design, marketing strategies, and customer-focused product durability techniques, preparing them to be self-reliant.

Beyond solar energy, Daniel Adeniyi has demonstrated a strong culture of innovation. As an undergraduate, he developed TouchNut, a contactless payment system that won multiple awards, including at the CODET Competition in Abuja and Wema Bank Hackathon. FUTA Vice Chancellor Professor Oladiji approved a test run of TouchNut for campus library and shuttle bus payments.

From powering homes with solar energy to empowering students with skills and entrepreneurship, Daniel Adeniyi exemplifies FUTA’s mission: cultivating innovators, problem-solvers, and change-makers capable of shaping Nigeria’s technological future.