It was not a product launch. There were no flashy startup pitches, venture capital announcements, or grand technology unveilings.

Yet, inside the university environment on April 30, 2026, something arguably more foundational was taking shape, a growing effort to close the widening gap between classroom learning and the realities of an increasingly digital economy.

A delegation from the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Lagos Chapter, led by its chairman, Dr. Adewale Adesina, had visited the University to explore how academia and industry could work more closely in preparing students for a technology landscape evolving faster than many institutions can keep up with.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Foluso Lesi, whose remarks reflected a shared understanding that the traditional model of education alone may no longer be enough for the future of work.

At the centre of the discussions was a simple but urgent reality: Nigeria’s technology ecosystem is changing rapidly, driven by artificial intelligence, automation, cybersecurity demands, cloud computing, digital finance, and the growing need for innovation-led problem solving.

For universities, this means students increasingly require more than academic degrees. They need industry exposure, practical experience, mentorship, professional networks, and skills aligned with real-world market demands.

The visit by the Nigeria Computer Society came shortly after the launch of the Artificial Intelligence University Innovation Pod (AI UniPod) at UNILAG, an initiative that has already positioned the institution within broader conversations around AI-driven education and innovation in Nigeria.

According to the Society, the timing created an opportunity to build a deeper partnership capable of connecting education, enterprise, and innovation.

Among the proposals discussed were structured onboarding of students into the professional body from their first year, mentorship programmes, innovation-focused collaborations, startup incubation pathways, digital capacity building initiatives, AI research partnerships, and increased participation in conferences and industry engagements.

The broader vision extends beyond the university itself.

Stakeholders involved in the discussions acknowledged that Nigeria’s future digital competitiveness depends on creating a stronger educational pipeline connecting secondary schools, universities, innovation hubs, startups, and professional institutions into one integrated ecosystem.

Interestingly, the meeting was not dominated solely by senior administrators and professionals.

Two student representatives from the Faculty of Computing and Informatics subtly became symbolic voices for why the conversation mattered.

Toluwani Ajibare and Jerry Chukwuma Aneke spoke about the growing pressure on students to graduate with practical competencies capable of making them employable and globally competitive beyond the classroom.

Their presence reflected a wider anxiety increasingly shared by many Nigerian students: in a digital economy shaped by speed and disruption, certificates alone are no longer sufficient.

Responding to the proposals, Foluso Lesi noted that several of the suggested areas of collaboration already align with ongoing efforts within the university’s Faculty of Computing and Informatics.

He encouraged the Society to deepen engagement with the Faculty, particularly within opportunities created by Nigeria’s evolving Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), which now allows stronger industry participation in curricular development.

According to him, industry practitioners are often closest to real-world challenges and are therefore better positioned to identify areas requiring urgent research, innovation, and practical solutions.

His remarks touched on a larger debate currently reshaping higher education globally — whether universities can remain relevant without stronger integration with industry.

For Nigeria, where youth unemployment and skills mismatch remain major concerns despite growing demand for technology talent, the implications are particularly significant.

Many employers continue to complain that graduates often leave school without the practical competencies needed for today’s workplace, while students increasingly seek alternative learning pathways through bootcamps, certifications, online platforms, and innovation hubs.

The conversations at University of Lagos therefore represent part of a broader shift: a recognition that the future of education may depend less on isolated academic structures and more on collaborative ecosystems.

Perhaps one of the most symbolic recommendations during the engagement came when Professor Lesi suggested that graduating students could be formally inducted into the Nigeria Computer Society during the university’s Hooding Ceremonies before convocation.

It was a subtle but powerful idea, one aimed at helping students transition seamlessly from academic life into professional communities and industry practice.

By the end of the meeting, discussions had already moved toward the possibility of a formal Memorandum of Understanding that could define long-term collaboration between both institutions.

But beyond institutional agreements and policy frameworks, the meeting reflected something deeper: a growing understanding that Nigeria’s digital future cannot be built in silos.

For both the University of Lagos and the Nigeria Computer Society, the engagement was less about ceremonial visits and more about a shared responsibility, preparing a generation that will not only participate in the digital economy, but help shape it.

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These books, published by the Academic Publishing Centre, University of Lagos (UNILAG), offer an unflinching examination of the complex socio-political landscape of modern-day Nigeria.

These literary publications mark a significant moment for Nigerian literature, as they directly confront the nation’s most pressing challenges, ranging from systemic poverty, insecurity, poor educational standards, mental health struggles, and the yearning for a better life abroad.

Out-of-school Children and Other Stories is a tapestry of human experiences woven through deeply evocative narratives.

The titular story follows an aspiring journalist struggling to publish an article on out-of-school children, which highlights the devastating impact of poverty and insecurity.

Other stories delve into the harsh lives of street beggars from Northern Nigeria in Lagos (“Arewa”); the tough economic realities faced by the youth (“79 Missed Calls”); and the difficult decisions made by mothers grappling with neglect and poverty (“The Fateful Mother”).

The collection boldly tackles subjects often relegated to the shadows, including the trauma of “kitoing” within the LGBTQIA+ community (“Kitoed!”) and the emotional cost of emigration (“The Cost of Flight”).

The accompanying poetry collection, Deathbed and Other Poems, is a masterful dual exploration of mortality and societal decay.

The opening poems on mortality are a “Triptych on Mortality,” featuring speakers grappling with the liminal space between life and death.

The second, more expansive section serves as a direct, lyrical Societal Critique, touching on topics from “Healthcare’s Collapse” and “Tribalism’s Divide” to “Boko Haram’s Terror” and “Police Brutality’s Yoke.”

Speaking about the publications, the literary writer, Oluwatosin Akinrinde, noted that his works reflect the lived experiences of the Nigerian people.

“These two books are not just creative works; they are interventions. In the stories, I wanted to reflect the human cost of Nigeria’s social fractures, ranging from children denied education to women trapped in cycles of neglect and poverty. In the poems, I sought to hold a mirror to our collective struggles, while also insisting that literature must act as a voice of resistance and possibility. I hope that readers find both discomfort and courage in these pages,” he noted.

Dr Moji Shodipe, director of the Academic Publishing Centre, University of Lagos, commended the author’s ambitious work.

“These two collections are a necessary intervention in contemporary Nigerian discourse. Oluwatosin demonstrates a rare courage through tackling the multi-dimensional poverty, insecurity, and social injustices that define our time. The stories and poems serve as a vital, unvarnished record of the Nigerian experience, and these publications serve as a significant event for our literary community,” she said.

MTN Champs is Nigeria’s largest grassroots sports competition, a collaboration between MTN Nigeria and Making of Champs (MoC), providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and potentially represent Nigeria on the global stage.

Osaze Ebueku, senior manager, Go-to-Market at MTN Nigeria at the opening ceremony of the MTN Champs Classics events in Benin had emphasised the long-term vision behind MTN Champs:

“We’re building future Olympians for Nigeria. MTN Champs is about more than competition. It’s about changing lives.”

The continental relays mark the second leg of the MTN Champs Season 3, following the Classics competition in Benin, which saw 4,371 event entries from 2,056 athletes.

As of March 24, the Lagos leg had already recorded 2,821 event entries across different age categories, highlighting the growing enthusiasm around the competition.

The registered athletes are spread across four categories, with 174 in the Cadet (U-14) category, 388 in Youth (U-17), 270 in Junior (U-20), and 279 in the Senior category.

To ensure smooth participation, organisers have outlined important guidelines. Athletes in the Cadet, Youth, and Junior categories must submit a signed Parental Consent Form, while all registered schools and athletes must collect their competition bibs by April 8 at the competition venue to confirm their participation and secure their place on the start list.

Sports enthusiasts can look forward to an electrifying showcase of emerging talent, as young athletes seize the opportunity to prove their skills on a professional stage.

The 3rd Cavista Technologies Hackathon, held at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) on February 22nd and 23rd, 2025, was a spectacle of intellect, creativity, and absolute coding determination. 

Team Stark Underflow emerged as the winner, taking the grand prize of N2 million after an intense battle against 29 other teams, comprising over 100 students from leading institutions in Lagos.

The prize money wasn’t the only catch, as the event reiterated that automation is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day innovation. 

With the theme ‘Smart Automation: Enhancing Care Through Integrated Systems,’ participants were challenged to develop real-world solutions that could boost efficiency in industries ranging from healthcare to financial services.

The hackathon was graced by the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who stressed the importance of continuous technological advancement in Nigeria.

“We remain committed to building an ecosystem to support technology through collaboration. In furtherance to this, we will launch a new platform that will enable young people to learn new skills and collaborate with private organizations because technology is driving almost everything we do,” he stated.

He further noted that automation has indeed become a key driver of services in Nigeria, urging young people to harness their creativity and innovative determination with the power of collaboration to make a solid impact. 

“Let the hackathon not just be a competition but a platform for solutions that will shape the future of a smart automation process in Nigeria and beyond,” he added. 

“The tech industry isn’t just about writing lines of code; it’s about solving problems. You don’t work in isolation. Collaboration is everything.”

The General Manager of Cavista Technologies, Oyebola Morakinyo, also urged students to leverage innovation without fear of failure: “At Cavista Technologies, our vision is to be the most innovative and respected solutions provider in the market. We provide services that drive transformation, enhance efficiency, and position organizations to lead in the future by leveraging our team of skilled engineers and industry experts. This is why we are here—to push boundaries and discover the next set of engineers to impact our community.”

The hackathon didn’t just bring young minds to focus on coding, it also included learnings about strategy, teamwork, and market viability. A key takeaway? “You must know what the business strategy is, the product you’re building, and what value it delivers. Technical skills are important, but understanding how to sell your solution is just as critical.”

The Winners: Innovation and Practicality

The high point of the event was the announcement of the winners:

• 1st Place: Team Stark Underflow (LASUSTECH) – ₦2,000,000
• 2nd Place: Team Trendsetters (UNILAG) – ₦1,000,000
• 3rd Place: Team TechStars (UNILAG) – ₦500,000

Beyond cash prizes, all participants walked away with mentorship opportunities, networking access, and career-defining collaborations to help them grow and thrive even more in the technology sector. 

As a flagship initiative of Cavista Technologies, a global leader in technology solutions and development services, the hackathon reflects the company’s commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing tech talent. 

With a team of engineers and industry experts, Cavista Technologies is focused on delivering cutting-edge technology solutions that streamline processes and accelerate project delivery.

With a presence across multiple continents, Cavista is focused on building the next generation of engineers with the skills and opportunities to innovate, disrupt, and lead.

According to UNILAG, this prestigious recognition celebrates Adesina’s exceptional contributions as a “globally renowned entrepreneur with extensive experience spanning academia, finance, trade, diplomacy, and the energy sector.”

Speaking on the development, Rashidat Adebisi, chief client officer of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, congratulated Adesina, noting that this honour underscores Adesina’s significant impact in Nigeria and Africa’s growth and development.

She praised his unwavering commitment to excellence and human capital development, highlighting that it is no surprise that a prestigious institution like UNILAG is honouring him.

“As a business, we have greatly benefited from Adesina’s vast expertise and wealth of experience. His outstanding leadership and dedication to our nation’s progress are truly remarkable. We are immensely proud to be associated with him and celebrate this milestone. We believe this honour will inspire Mr. Adesina to continue being a beacon of progress in Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape,” Adebisi stated.

Also, Kunle Ahmed, the chief executive officer of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, lauded Adesina’s virtues and emphasised that the honorary degree is a testament to Mr. Adesina’s exemplary leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence.

“Mr. Adesina’s visionary approach has been pivotal in driving our company’s success and positively influencing our ambition to transition from a payer to a partner. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and this well-deserved recognition,” Ahmed remarked.

The conferment ceremony at UNILAG’s main auditorium was graced by dignitaries from various sectors, including academia, finance, and industry, who gathered to honor Mr. Adesina’s remarkable achievements and contributions.

The halls of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) glowed with pride and applause as the institution celebrated its 54th convocation, awarding degrees to over 10,500 students on the first two days. 

But for 330 graduates, the joy was amplified with a special reward — cash prizes for their exceptional academic achievements.

Within the first two days of the ceremony, UNILAG recognized the outstanding performance of its first-class graduates, presenting them with financial incentives of varying prices across departments. This came on as a powerful symbol of the university’s commitment to excellence and its desire to nurture future leaders.

The convocation ceremonies brought together students from diverse faculties, including Education, Social Sciences, Arts, Environmental Sciences, and Science. The J.F Ade-Ajayi Auditorium was filled with excitement as each graduate took their rightful place on the stage, their achievements a pointer to hard work and dedication.

Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, delivered an address, congratulating the graduates and highlighting the university’s commendable achievements. She revealed that UNILAG secured over N11 billion Naira in grants in 2023 for research and innovation.

Professor Ogunsola further emphasized UNILAG’s dedication to preparing graduates for the challenges of the future. She outlined various initiatives, including online courses, research grant management training, and technical skill development programs, aimed at fostering a community prepared to scale through the demands of the modern world.

Among the graduating class, David Oluwatomiwa Akanmu stood out having earned a perfect 5.0 CGPA. Akanmu emerged from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering as the top first-class graduate, adding another feather to UNILAG’s cap.

Professor Ogunsola extended her congratulations not just to the graduates but also to their families, guardians, and supporters. She acknowledged the sacrifices and encouragement that played an incredible role in their success.

The Vice-Chancellor used the occasion to highlight UNILAG’s journey over the past year, noting progress in research, collaborations, infrastructure development, and financial stability. She expressed gratitude to donors and partners whose contributions, including scholarships, continue to empower talented students.

Unilag’s ongoing 54th convocation is a celebration of academic excellence, fueled by a focus on nurturing talent and building a future-ready generation that do not solely rely on 9-5 jobs, but can build something for themselves.