UNILAG VC CHARGES STUDENTS ON TECHNOLOGY, DIGITALIZATION

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, has charged students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria to embrace global best practices in the use of technology.

While delivering a keynote address as one of Lead Speakers at the 3^rd International Conference on Entrepreneurship organised by the Mountain Top University which held at the University’s Multipurpose Hall on Wednesday, November 3^rd, 2021, Prof. Ogundipe warned that the disruption caused by technology should not be seen as an excuse to indulge in social vices such as cybercrimes, internet fraud and other exuberances, rather, it should be a platform to equip themselves for global exploits which technology avails.

Speaking on the theme of the conference; Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development in the Digital Era, Prof. Ogundipe advocated a multi-stakeholder and interdisciplinary approach to promoting innovation and entrepreneurial skills acquisition especially among Nigeria’s youthful population, hinging his advocacy on the challenges posed by the dearth of white-collar jobs and the continued surge in the number of graduates churned out annually across all Degree awarding institutions in Nigeria.

While commending the management of Mountain Top University for its interest and commitment to Entrepreneurship skills acquisition among its students, the Vice-Chancellor who gave a breakdown of top-ranking skills set between 2016 and 2020 challenged all academic administrators to devote more efforts towards the discovery and grooming of innovation for international purpose.

He also used the avenue to share the success stories so far recorded by the University of Lagos especially at its Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Centre noting that as from 2023, every student graduating from UNILAG will also be bagging a Diploma Certificate in Entrepreneurship.

Prof. Ogundipe said no fewer than 100 business ideas developed by students who registered at the Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Centre will be fully registered by the University and they will be accorded mentoring as well as seed investment through a soft loan facility courtesy of the Bank of Industries.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the management of the University of Lagos to always ensure that, on completion of studies for first degree, every student is equipped and ready for the contemporary challenges posed by unemployment. 

In his remarks to flag off the conference, the Chancellor, Mountain Top University and General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr. Daniel Olukoya described the International Conference on Entrepreneurship as part of the University’s efforts to engender a national discourse towards the promotion of entrepreneurship among students in tertiary institutions.

Dr. Olukoya who was represented by the Chairman, MFM Elders’ Forum, Prof. Ade Ojo reaffirmed the mission of Mountain Top University to always ensure that each and every of its graduate learn to play at least one musical instrument before leaving the university.

In his remarks to welcome the retinue of guests and dignitaries who converged for the conference, the Vice-Chancellor, Mountain Top University, Professor Elijah Ayolabi said the 3^rd International Conference on Entrepreneurship was put together to share hindsight from experts and the academia with a view to repositioning Nigeria’s tertiary education system in the quest to reposition the global economy especially when viewed against the backdrop of the daunting effects of the global pandemic and the obvious realities of digitalization.

Prof. Ayolabi who lauded the remarkable achievements of the University of Lagos especially in Entrepreneurship and Skills Development solicited cooperation among all stakeholders with a view to promoting smart entrepreneurship ideas.

Other speakers at the conference were the Chairman, Zinox and Konga Group, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh and the Chairman, Board of Access Banks Plc, Dr. Mrs Ajoritisedere Awosika MFR.