University of Ibadan Committed to Fostering Partnerships with SMEs

The University of Ibadan (UI) has reaffirmed its dedication to collaborating with small and medium businesses to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.

This commitment was highlighted during the opening ceremony of the 2025 UI SME Fair, themed "Inspiring Next-Gen SMEs: Igniting Ideas, Innovations and Building Resilience."

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Juwon Arotiba, emphasized the university's role in creating a supportive ecosystem for student entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive through partnerships with government, industry, and global organizations. The fair provided a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and showcasing innovative ideas, with Providus Bank pledging a grant of Ten Million Naira to thirty-nine SMEs and offering free POS machines and entrepreneurial training to selected participants.

Key stakeholders, including the Director of Skills, Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), praised UI for its efforts in promoting entrepreneurship among young people, citing the importance of equipping students with skills for self-reliance and contributing to national development. The event also featured an exhibition of goods and services, awards, and a keynote address by Mr. Kingsley Aigbokhaevbo, Deputy Managing Director of Providus Bank, who encouraged young entrepreneurs to remain resilient and focused on their business ventures.