FUTA Class of 2023 Hosts Summit on Transitioning from Academia to Industry
On September 10, 2024, the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Class of 2023 hosted a Summit titled "Navigating the Marketplace: Transitioning from Academia to Industry." The event featured a pitching competition with top prizes of ₦500,000, ₦300,000, and ₦200,000, and keynote speeches by Ayo Bankole and Dr. Babajide Milton Macaulay.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Class of 2023, known as The Conquistadors, concluded their undergraduate journey with a dynamic Summit/Corporate Day on September 10, 2024. Themed "Navigating the Marketplace: Transitioning from Academia to Industry," the event offered invaluable insights and opportunities for future professionals.
The Summit featured a range of activities designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice. A key highlight was the pitching competition, where the top three competitors received cash prizes of ₦500,000, ₦300,000, and ₦200,000, respectively. This competition showcased the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas of FUTA’s graduating class.
Prominent speakers such as Ayo Bankole, CEO of Caladium Consulting, and Dr. Babajide Milton Macaulay, a renowned scholarship and grant recipient, delivered keynote presentations on the summit’s theme. Their insights provided students with practical advice for making a successful transition from academic life to professional careers.
The event also included panel sessions on career development and life after graduation. Esteemed panelists, including Prof. Folashade Dahunsi, Moses Ogunranti, Arc. Junwon Agbebi, Timi Alabi, and Dr. Babajide Milton Macaulay, shared their expertise and experiences, offering guidance on navigating the complexities of the professional world.
The summit concluded with awards for the top-performing students in the male and female categories based on their final-year CGPA. The top three students in each category received ₦100,000, ₦130,000, and ₦150,000, respectively. These awards, sponsored by Alaba Esho in honor of his parents, Folorunsho and Grace Esho, recognized academic excellence and provided a fitting end to the summit.
