FUTA Students Showcase Creativity at 2025 Entrepreneurship Exhibition

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has once again demonstrated its commitment to producing self-reliant graduates as students of the institution showcased their talents and skills at the 2025 Entrepreneurship Products Exhibition.

The exhibition, which marked the conclusion of the compulsory course for all 300-level undergraduates, ENT 302, was organized under the aegis of the Centre for Entrepreneurship (CENT).

In her address, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Taiwo Amos, expressed delight at the creativity, innovation, and diversity of products on display. She affirmed that FUTA students consistently make the institution proud with the outstanding quality of their works.

The Vice Chancellor noted that many of the products, which included leather shoes, leather bags, farm produce, honey, content creation outputs, and other innovations, had the potential for mass production to serve the larger society, including schools and other institutions.

Professor Oladiji further emphasized that students had been trained in more than 100 skills, many of which may not be directly related to their courses of study but could provide sustainable sources of livelihood if harnessed effectively. She reiterated FUTA’s resolve to continue equipping students to become employers of labour rather than job seekers.

“You have been great ambassadors of this great institution. FUTA aims at training students in diverse areas for self-reliance. We are hoping that at the end of your stay in FUTA, you will become employers of labour rather than job seekers. I know that what you are learning today from this course can be the means through which food can be on your table in the future,” she said.

Earlier, the Director of CENT, Professor Ganiyu Oboh, represented by the Associate Director, Dr. Emidun, commended the resilience and creativity of the students while appreciating stakeholders who collaborated with the university in delivering the training. He explained that CENT had broadened its operations to cover nearly 100 disciplines in response to present-day needs, spanning technology, agriculture, design, fashion, and food presentation.

“At FUTA, we continue to comply with the National Universities Commission (NUC) directive mandating the integration of entrepreneurship into the university curriculum. This exhibition is a celebration of innovation and resilience by our students, who have shown discipline and commitment throughout their training,” he said.

The exhibition ground came alive with a wide variety of products, including hair wigs, shampoos, relaxers, tomato seedlings, banana suckers, confectioneries, fresh fruits, drinks, cooked food, tie-and-dye fabrics, paints, and beautifully tailored wears such as T-shirts. More than 2,500 students participated, also showcasing skills in public speaking, speech writing, event planning, painting, and appliance repair, among others.

The exhibition highlighted FUTA’s practical commitment to empowering students with entrepreneurial skills and preparing them for meaningful contributions to the economy.