Opolo Global partnered University of Ilorin Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre (TEC) and African Support Bureau for Entrepreneurship (ASBE) to organize 2024 Unilorin TEC_ASBE Innovation Summit, at University of Ilorin. The 4day-event which was the maiden edition attracted dignitaries across different spheres of life, including Dr. Akinwunmi Emmanuel (Opolo global advisory board member), Prof. Wahab Egbewole SAN (Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin), Mrs. Victoria Madedor (Bank of Industry, Lagos), Bar. Murtala Joke Ashia (JK Murgan Creative Limited, Abuja), Mr. Lanre Sanni (Lassod Consulting Limited, United Kingdom), Prof. Usman Adebimpe Raheem (Director, Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre, University of Ilorin), Prof. Dapo Adeoye (Chairman, ASBE Governing Board), Olawumi Toriola (Actress and Film Director), Dr. Violet Makuku (Global Quality Assurance, Ghana), Dr. Sherifat Adesunkanmi (Obafemi Awolowo University), representative of Kwara State Government First Lady (Amb. Dr. Olufolake Abdulrazaq), Dr. Oluwafemi Oyedeji (Opolo Global Innovation Limited, Lagos), other members of University of Ilorin management team, other professors and researchers within and outside University of Ilorin, as well as the students of University of Ilorin. The day 1 (20th January, 2024) event witnessed student varieties day, interactive sessions, and talent hunt competition.
The key highlight for day 2 event was the briefing session for the finalists of startup and scaleup competitions anchored by Dr. Oluwafemi Oyedeji of Opolo Global Innovation Limited. During the briefing session, Dr. Oluwafemi Oyedeji encouraged the participants to focus on creating innovative solutions that will address local and global challenges. He made it known that the partnership between Opolo Global and the University is aimed at providing platforms for innovators, either as researchers or students in the University to build and scale innovations that will benefit all stakeholders including the innovator(s) and the University. He went further to point out what is expected of the finalists in the grand finale competition and the standard procedure for the pitching presentation.
The day 3 event witnessed pitching of startup and scaleup finalists, and was anchored by Opolo Global Innovation Limited. The startup pitching competition which started by 08:30am had Prof. Kunle Olawepo (University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital), Prof. Kasum A.A. (University of Ilorin), Dr. Kemi Omotesho (University of Ilorin), Dr. Yemi Opowoye (Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta), and Mr. Lanre Sanni (Lassod Consulting Limited, United Kingdom) as panel of judges while Dr. Oluwafemi Oyedeji of Opolo Global coordinated the whole exercise. A total of six (6) presentations were made by students across various disciplines including Medicine, Physiology, Education, and Law which were assessed by judges using standard rubrics designed by Opolo Global Innovation Limited. Tie and dye business idea was adjudged as the best innovation while orthopaedic shoe production and bread & pastries production were adjudged as the first runner-up and second runner-up respectively. The winner was awarded a cheque of #300,000 while the first and second runner-up were given cheques of #200,000 and #100,000 respectively. The scaleup pitching competition on the other hand commenced by 3:30pm and the panel of judges include Dr. Akinwumi Emanuel (Opolo Global board member), Dr. Sherifat Adesunkanmi (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife), Mrs. Victoria Madedor (Group Head, Bank of Industry, Lagos), and Dr. Tayo Aderibigbe (University of Ilorin). After a keenly contested pitching competition, ‘Art and painting’ by Emmanuel Bassey was rated as the best innovative venture while ‘Fashion Designing ventures’ by Mohammed-Jimoh Faridah and Ayandare Mariam Olayinka were rated first and second runner-up winners. The winner was awarded a cheque of #500,000 while the first and second runner-up were given cheques of #300,000 and #200,000 respectively.
Day 4 was the award presentation and closing ceremony day for the TEC_ASBE Innovation Summit 2024. The event had in attendance the Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin (Prof. Wahab Egbewole), other members of the university management team, the First Lady of Kwara State, the Vice Chancellors of Koladayisi University and Kwara State University, members of the Press, and influential people from different walks of life. The Vice Chancellor (University of Ilorin) in his welcome speech commended the Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre of University of Ilorin, as well as the Africa Support Bureau for Entrepreneurship for conceiving and driving the initiative of an innovation summit like this that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship in the University. He also acknowledged the supports of Opolo Global Innovation and other partners of the event, in making the event a remarkable one. He enjoined the students and the entire university community to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship mindset beyond the summit. The top three performers for both startup and scaleup pitching competition were presented gifts by Prof. Wahab Egbewole (Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin) and Prof. Olubunmi A. Omotesho (Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, University of Ilorin).
GALLERY
The Vice Chancellor presenting award to Scaleup pitch first place winner
Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics presenting award to Scaleup pitch Second place winner
Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics (Prof. O.A. Omotesho) presenting award to Scaleup pitch third place winner
From Left to Right: Dr. Foluke Sola-Ojo (LOC Chairperson), Dr. Oluwafemi Oyedeji (Opolo Global), and Mr. Emmanuel Bassey (Winner, Scaleup pitching).