In a continued demonstration of the University of Lagos’ commitment to equipping students with the practical skills needed to thrive in the digital economy, a review session for its Tech Skills and Marketplace 2024 Cohort commenced on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
Held at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Resource Centre (AMDRC), the event afforded AFRETEC, a network dedicated to advancing technology education across Africa, the opportunity to witness firsthand the progress that UNILAG has made in nurturing startups and creating scalable business ventures aimed at solving real-world challenges. AFRETEC is one of UNILAG’s partners.
The review session was organized by the Central Industrial Liaison and Placement Unit (CILPU), UNILAG and it brought together key stakeholders from the academia and industry to assess the programme’s impact and discuss ways to enhance it for greater success.
In his remarks, the Programme Coordinator, Professor Johnson Agunsoye, spoke on the essence of the gathering, noting that “the goal of the programme is to provide startups with motivated and skilled interns to support their operations and projects”.
According to Professor Agunsoye, “The Tech Skills and Marketplace Programme is one of the University’s flagship initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between academia and industry.”
The CILPU Director also shared the timeline for the pilot programme, which ran from September to December 2024, adding that 52 interns were placed in 12 startups across three designated hubs: the National Information Technology Development Agency IT Hub (NITHUB), Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Centre (ESDC), and Innovation and Technology Management Office.
To ensure the interns’ success, the University provided a supportive work environment including high-speed internet, accommodation, and financial assistance of ₦250,000 per month, with an additional ₦100,000 for transportation. Four supervisors were assigned to guide the interns, ensuring their experience was enriching and productive.
In her presentation, the Acting Director of ITMO, Dr. O. O. Adewunmi, elaborated on the application and screening process, explaining how candidates were categorized into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. She also highlighted the challenges faced by the interns and shared feedback from participants, illustrating the programme’s significant impact on their personal and professional growth.
Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa, from the NITHub, discussed the programme’s long-term vision, emphasizing the importance of increasing the participation of women and students with special needs in the tech industry. His presentation reinforced UNILAG’s ongoing commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for aspiring tech professionals.
Dr. Stanley Mukasa, from Carnegie Mellon University, Rwanda, also contributed valuable insights, stressing the importance of such initiatives in preparing students for the digital economy. He outlined his organization’s role in supporting the programme’s development and its alignment with global industry needs.
Earlier, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Ayodele V. Atsenuwa, praised the programme’s success, emphasizing the university’s strategic role in equipping students with the necessary skills to succeed in today’s tech-driven world. She underscored the importance of fostering industry partnerships and providing students with access to real-world experiences that will aid their professional development.
“The programme emphasized inclusivity, ensuring that participants from diverse backgrounds had the opportunity to develop their skills and pursue careers in the tech industry,” she noted.
The session concluded with remarks from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ogunsola. She commended the programme’s success and actively engaged in discussions on plans to expand and enhance the initiative. The event also featured an interactive Q&A session, where the audience shared valuable feedback and offered recommendations for further improvement.
The event, which concluded on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, witnessed speakers from the AFRETEC Network present their views on the programme’s effectiveness while also focusing on key expectations for interns and startups that they consider essential for future success.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Michael Joshua
