UNILORIN graduates 9,924 students from its U-Inspire programme
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The University of Ilorin has graduated 9,924 students from the inaugural cohort of its U-Inspire programme, an initiative designed to equip final-year students with practical skills to solve societal problems and become job creators rather than job seekers.
The graduation ceremony, which was held at the University Auditorium, was themed “Empowering Employability, Innovation, and Real-world Problem Solving.”
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole, congratulated the graduands for their dedication and commitment to the programme.
He charged them to pursue their dreams with determination and creativity, noting that innovation often starts with small ideas that can grow into major breakthroughs.
“A small idea can transform into something big. Have the mindset to make it bigger. Don’t drop your dream, nurture it. UNILORIN is here to help you compete globally”, Prof. Egbewole said.
He further encouraged the graduands to take calculated risks and become problem solvers who will contribute meaningfully to global development.
The Vice Chancellor also appreciated the nine partner organisations that collaborated with the University to deliver the U-Inspire training, commending their efforts in producing well-rounded graduates.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the U-Inspire Implementation Committee, Prof. Rasheed Gbenga Jimoh, commended Prof Egbewole and the university management for initiating the U-Inspire programme aimed at equipping final year students with 21st-century employability skills.
Prof. Jimoh, who also serves as the Director of the Directorate of Computer Services and Information Technology (COMSIT), described the U-Inspire programme as a transformative initiative that has come to stay, stressing the importance of students acquiring a “digital driver’s license” to remain competitive in the global job market.
He explained that the programme focused on three core skill areas, leadership, web design and graphic design, which participants were trained on during their two-month internship.
Prof. Jimoh also congratulated the project presenters for showcasing their talents and urged them to apply their acquired skills towards solving emerging and existing societal problems as he also commended the nine U-Inspire partner organisations for their commitment to the training’s success.
Delivering the keynote address, the Managing Director of Tascon Plastic Industries Limited, Dr Akeem Salawudeen, represented by Mr Ajadi Oladimeji, urged the graduands to focus on building portfolios of problem-solving achievements rather than relying solely on academic transcripts.
“As we empower employability, nurture innovation, and strengthen real-world problem solving, we are not just producing graduates, we are producing builders of our economy and our nation,” he said.
Dr Salawudeen called for stronger collaboration between academic institutions and industries to prepare young people who are not only ready to survive in the 21st century but to shape it.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Zakmad, Mr Zakirdeen Oladotun, emphasised that degrees alone are no longer sufficient to secure employment as he encouraged students to embrace entrepreneurship and digital skills.
“You don’t have to know everything, but you must see what others can’t. Open your eyes to opportunities around you and your mind to innovation,” he advised.
Also speaking, the Director of the Centre for Research, Development and In-House Training (CREDIT), Prof. Abdulkarim Oloyede, lauded the U-Inspire initiative, noting that more partners would be engaged to expand the learning options available to students.
He emphasised that university certificates alone are no longer sufficient, adding that complementary programmes like U-Inspire provide practical exposure and innovation oriented skills necessary to solve societal problems.
Prof. Oloyede further revealed plans to extend the U-Inspire training to students from 100-level through to graduation, alongside the establishment of an innovation hub to enhance continuous learning.
At the project presentation segment of the event, MC George Consulting Limited Group emerged as the overall winner, receiving a cash prize of ₦550,000. HRsquare Concept took second place and was awarded ₦350,000, while Group 2lead secured third place with a prize of ₦250,000.
The U-Inspire initiative is part of the University of Ilorin’s commitment to producing graduates who are globally competitive, innovative, and capable of addressing real-world challenges.