Themed “Beyond the Degree: Mastering Tech, Entrepreneurship, Creativity & Wealth Creation,” the summit brought together speakers from digital media, education consultancy, tech entrepreneurship, and supply chain strategy. 

Their collective advice was that it’s no longer enough to graduate, you must evolve.

Let’s start with Joan Aimuengheuwa, assistant editor at Techeconomy, who built her career before her final exams were over. “Success is about learning and doing,” she said. “I started working while I was a student, just like you. I didn’t even want to do some of those things at first, but again, I didn’t let opportunities slide by. That’s how I started.”

She recalled taking on roles that only paid enough for data. No prestige or promise, just persistence. “Back then, I worked with a lecturer who had a company, while also working at another media firm. I was juggling school, internships in the media space, data analysis—everything. You can’t survive in this space without being a good analyst or a good researcher.”

When asked what students need to succeed in the digital media space, her answer was direct: “Discipline. You cannot be a writer, editor, or analyst without patience. Your character is very important because it’s your name that’s at stake here, not just your pay. Again, you need to learn SEO, networking, research, and use AI the right way. AI should look up to you, not the other way around.”

But perhaps the most striking insight came from her early career reflection: “Don’t wait till you’re ready. Don’t be afraid to do badly at first. Don’t be afraid to fail. My first boss was strict. She didn’t insult me, but when I made a mistake, it was like, ‘How can you do this?’ I never told her, but in my head, I was like, ‘I’m learning.’ But I went through it. She taught me. And when I applied for my next job, my new boss said, ‘She came in highly recommended.’ Why? Because of my character.”

Pascal Orisakwe the career strategist and supply chain manager at Beta Glass took over. “Success,” he said, “is not how much money you have in your bank account. It is the ability to create value, to solve problems, and reward follows that.”

He warned students about mistaking noise for navigation. “Some people just want to get out of the house. They don’t think of life after that certificate. That’s one major challenge. You don’t just jump into a career because your friend is doing it.”

Pascal shared a tough truth about adulthood. “Someone once said adulthood is a scam. But it’s only a scam if you’re not prepared. And preparation means skills. It means understanding that the world is already being run by AI, robotics, and the Internet of Things. If you’re not evolving, you’re fading.”

For students willing to further their studies abroad, Janet Amosu, business development manager at BWBS Education Consultants, pitched access to students at STS 3.0. “We do not charge for applications. 100% free service. No payment for application processing, no payment for visa submission, no charges for interviews,” she said.

It sounded too good to be true, so when asked about the success rate, she doubled down: “Yes, 100% success rate. We secure scholarships, up to 50% for academically strong students. If you don’t get a job nine months after graduation, we work with schools that refund 50% of your tuition and use the other 50% to re-enrol you.”

Her advice to those looking to study abroad? Start early. “Many students miss out because they didn’t start on time or weren’t aligned with their financial and academic realities. Stay informed. Trust the process.”

And then there was Elias Roosevelt, founder and CEO of Payable. He added weight to the tech entrepreneurship part of the conversation, stressing that “building viable products in the financial tech space, not just talking about it, is highly important.”

Pascal, when asked if he would change anything in his career, said: “In all honesty, I do not think I would change anything. When you alter your yesterday, your today and tomorrow might not come out the way they should. The journey of life requires intentionality.”

He urged students at the STS 3.0 summit and beyond, not to let emotions drive their decisions. “Discipline means waking up early. It means working late. You have to stay the course, even when it doesn’t pay off immediately.”

In our world, where many are now obsessed with immediate returns, that might be the most radical advice of all.

Beyond a panel, STS 3.0 was a roadmap, because in 2025, you don’t need another degree to succeed. You need audacity, resilience, and the humility to learn from strict bosses and unpaid gigs. You need to build a name before you build a brand.

And if you’re lucky, you’ll realise that the classroom ends at the door, but your future doesn’t.

Hosted at the prestigious Oluremi Tinubu Hall, the summit, themed “Beyond the Degree: Master • Create • Innovate”, served as a rallying point for technology leaders, government officials, and forward-thinking entrepreneurs, all united by a common goal — to equip students with tools to thrive in today’s competitive world.

PROGRAM IMPACT: EMPOWERING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE

This groundbreaking initiative was designed to orientate and empower students on how to navigate life through technology, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation. The summit emphasized the urgent need for Nigerian students to build sustainable skills that will make them employable, globally competitive, and self-reliant graduates.

Through keynote addresses, scholarship opportunities, and mentorship sessions, students gained firsthand exposure to industries driving economic transformation across Nigeria and beyond.

STUDENT WINS & SCHOLARSHIPS

₦1,000,000 Full Tech Scholarship Awards to three LASUED students from UR9 Group

Aviation Technology Scholarships from AEROPORT Company

Cash Giveaways and Full Product Management Scholarships to top-performing student innovators

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND THOUGHT LEADERS

STS 3.0 featured some of the nation’s most respected voices in tech, business, and policy, including: Dr. Oludayo Taiwo, MD, AEROPORT Company; Olabanji Ewenla, CEO, ENOVERLAB; Pascal Orizakwe, Career Strategist; Muhammad Lawal, CEO, EfficoAI; Melody Fidel, Entrepreneur & Tech Missionary; Mr. Peter Aideloje, CEO, SoftTechBro; Mr. Bakare Ifeoluwa, CEO, Daddy6ix Academy; Dr. Joseph Carew, CEO, Hommaston Ltd. and Dr. Uriel Ezeh, CEO, UR9 Group.

Representing the government were: The Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, ably represented by the SSA to the Governor; The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, represented by Dr. Bilal; Dr. Sunmonu Mathew, NASS Staff Adviser, LASUED

BRAND PARTNERS WHO POWERED THE SUMMIT

A host of national brands and institutions played a pivotal role in powering this movement, including: UR9 Group; ENOVERLAB; Office of the SSA to the President on Capacity Development; Techeconomy (Official Media Partner); Minimie Noodles, Munch It, Kellogg’s; AEROPORT Company; BWBS Education Consultant Agency; EfficoAI; SoftTechBro; Stability & Sustenance; BIZOACH and Embold Lab

A PRESIDENT’S VISION

In his address, Comr. Adegbite Daniel Damilare, President of NASS-LASUED, stated: “This summit is more than a one-time event — it is a wake-up call for every Nigerian student to begin building relevant, future-proof skills. We are raising innovators and leaders, not just graduates with certificates.”