Don’t Let Your Certificate Limit You, UI VC Tells Students

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan(UI), Professor Kayode Adebowale, has urged students not to let their academic certificates define or restrict their future, emphasizing the importance of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship in today’s dynamic world.

He gave the charge during a one-day sensitization workshop organized by the university’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), held under the theme “Unlocking Your Entrepreneurial Potential.”

In his keynote address titled “Igniting the Spark,” Professor Adebowale described the world as one marked by rapid technological advancement, volatile economic conditions, and evolving global challenges. According to him, while traditional career paths remain relevant, they are no longer the only routes to success.

“The solution to Nigeria’s and Africa’s youth unemployment crisis does not lie solely in seeking jobs but in creating them. Entrepreneurship and innovation are no longer optional skills—they are essential for survival and national development,” he said.

Professor Adebowale stressed that the University of Ibadan, as Nigeria’s premier university, has a responsibility that goes beyond teaching and learning. He noted that UI must produce “solution-finders, job creators, and societal transformers,” not just certificate holders.

He explained that the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation was established to instill this mindset, serving as a hub where theoretical knowledge meets practical application, and where ideas are nurtured into viable ventures.
“This Centre is not just another administrative unit,” he said. “It is designed to embed an entrepreneurial spirit within the DNA of the University of Ibadan.”

The Vice-Chancellor commended the Director of CEI, Professor Sherifat A. Aboaba, for her commitment to empowering students and for organizing the sensitization workshop. He described the event as “a crucial first step” toward student self-discovery and national transformation.

In her welcome address, Professor Aboaba encouraged students to look beyond their certificates and explore how their academic disciplines could align with entrepreneurship. She emphasized the need for the university community to better understand the scope and value of the CEI’s offerings beyond the mandatory GES courses.

“This workshop is about shifting the mindset from ‘Can I get a job?’ to ‘What problem can I solve?’ or ‘What value can I create?’” she said.

The event also featured keynote addresses by successful entrepreneurs Kayode Adebayo, Founder/CEO of Ckrowd.com, and Ifeoluwa Olatayo, Founder/CEO of Soupah Kitchen & Co., Ibadan. Their sessions were followed by an interactive Q&A segment, after which some participants pitched their business ideas.

The sensitization workshop is part of ongoing efforts by the University of Ibadan to integrate entrepreneurship into its academic and institutional culture, preparing graduates not just for employment, but for impact.