ATC Africa, a community focused on building a better future for Africans in technology, hosted this event which brought together over 400 students from various higher institutions in and around Ibadan.

Among the institutions represented were the University of Ibadan, The Polytechnic Ibadan, City Polytechnic Ibadan, Dominion University, Precious Cornerstone University, Ajayi Crowther University, Koladaisi University, Redeemer’s University, Bolmor Polytechnic, Dominican University, Lead City University, LAUTECH (Ogbomoso), The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic (Saki), Federal Cooperative College, Federal School of Statistics (Ibadan), Sapade Polytechnic (Ogun State), Eruwa Polytechnic, First Technical University, Atiba University, and Alayande College of Education (Oyo).

The theme for this year’s event was “Hacking the Ecosystem: Disruptive for Technology Growth,” powered by ATC Africa and led by Tope James Moses, co-founder of the organisation. The theme reiterated the event’s mission to enable a rich technology ecosystem by supporting young talent and supporting innovation.

The Ibadan Students Tech Fest aimed to demystify technology and provide students with the skills needed to scale through the dynamic tech industry. The event connected students with industry experts, offering insights into emerging technologies and encouraging collaboration to drive innovation.

Tope James Moses emphasised the importance of investing in the next generation, stating, “To cultivate a thriving technology ecosystem, we must invest in our youth. By providing opportunities for upskilling, mentorship, and collaboration, we can equip young talent with the resources they need to drive technological advancements across various fields.”

As young talent matures, they are expected to play an important role in propelling the tech ecosystem forward, contributing to a cycle of growth and creativity. The event highlighted the growing tech culture in Ibadan and beyond, with a strong focus on empowering the youth to shape the future.

The Tech Fest featured a diverse range of speakers and panellists, each providing insights into different sectors of the tech industry. They included Dr Seun Fakorede, R.Eng, MNSE, MASCE, Raheema Abisola Adabanija, MNSE, David Adeleke, Ayomide Fajobi, Adedeji Damilare, Segun Ebenezer, Olaniyan Nurudeen, Abiodun Adesokan, Dr Olusola Ayoola, Ayobami Atolagbe, Oluwaseun Hamzat, Richard Afolabi, Tim Oladoyinbo, Ola Okegbemi, Israel Odeajo, Mosopefoluwa Ayodele, Kausar Moshood, Glory Olaifa and Oluwole Saheed Azeez.

These industry experts provided mentorship and shared their experiences, inspiring students to pursue careers in tech.

Activities and Sessions

The event’s highlights included the Capture the Flag (CTF) competition, which tested participants’ skills in cybersecurity and problem-solving. Networking and professional sessions also allowed students to engage with professionals and peers, ensuring collaboration and career growth. 

Added to this, the Serial Interview segment provided an opportunity for students to learn from the experiences of tech professionals, further expanding their knowledge of the industry.

The success of the Ibadan Students Tech Fest 2024 was made possible by the support of various sponsors and partners, including Showmax, Yellow Card, App Tranarc, 1app, Enforca, Gotocourse, Bekkah Artificial Intelligence, Betuptip, Technext, and Techeconomy. Their contributions ensured the event’s smooth execution.

The Ibadan Students Tech Fest 2024 successfully bridged the gap between academia and the tech industry, providing students with the tools they need to drive technological growth in Africa.

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The event took place on Thursday, June 13th, 2024, at Nigeria’s premier university.

Speaking at the event, Doris Zhao, Senior Marketing Manager at Infinix Nigeria, stated: “Two years ago, we signed an MOU with the University to establish the Infinix Social Club, to promote student participation in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurial development. Since then, our collaboration has grown, and today’s event marks another step forward.

At Infinix, our commitment goes beyond technology. We are dedicated to empowering students, enhancing their skills, and preparing them for global opportunities. This ICT Student Resource Centre represents our shared vision of providing the tools and resources needed to foster innovation and success.”

One of the goals of the MOU was to provide UI students with access to job and internship opportunities at Transsion and its subsidiaries in Nigeria and other parts of the globe.

In line with this objective, Zhao announced that Infinix recently employed six graduates from the University of Ibadan, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to creating career opportunities for talented students.

Professor Kayode Oyebode, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, expressed his gratitude for Infinix’s support:

“Infinix has made a commendable choice by investing in the University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s premier university. This centre will benefit all stakeholders, and we are committed to maintaining it to ensure its sustainability. We anticipate further collaborations, including providing scholarships for financially challenged yet talented students.

The University will put a system in place to maintain the resource centre. We shall also ensure the security aspect is well managed so that it continues to be useful to everyone. As you have rightly said, this is just the beginning of an enduring relationship.”

Aweda Bolaji, President of the University of Ibadan’s Student Union, also shared his appreciation: “We are extremely grateful to Infinix Nigeria for bringing this to life. We are happy that the students of the University of Ibadan will be able to make full use of the resources in this ICT centre.

“However, it is our responsibility as students to take proper care of the resources and sustain them so they continually serve their purpose. It took a lot of effort from the University to get people to bring this to life. So it is our responsibility as students to ensure that whatever facilities we have are well maintained so that we continue to enjoy them at all times.”

Infinix gave out their newest Note series device, NOTE 40 to members of staff present and also shared accessories and gifts with some of the students.

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The NAVSA programme, which one of the goals is to build a sustainable digital platform that provides varieties of information for more than half of agriculture ecosystem players in Nigeria in order to enable a highly-productive agribusiness economy, has since adopted almost 992 smart farmers and created thousands of direct and indirect jobs to Nigerians.

At a brief closing ceremony and presentation of digital tools and seed funding to the beneficiaries the NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, who was represented by the team lead and Assistant Director, Digital Economy Development Department, Dr. Ayodele Bakare, reiterated that the programme is designed to help the farmers raise their efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability of their farm businesses through the adoption of digital technologies. 

Giving the overview of the programmes, he disclosed that the programme was designed in two folds; to build the digital skill and literacy skills of the beneficiaries and to practically demonstrate to them how feasible it is to run a smart farm.

He said that the programme was initiated by NITDA to demonstrate that IT is an enabler of all other sectors of the economy, and if properly deployed and adopted by farmers, it would aid food production and security in the country, adding that the essence of the training is for the beneficiaries to be able to manage their smart farms and become self reliance and self employed.  

While advising the beneficiaries to practice what they have learnt throughout the period of the training and build on it, he assured them that NITDA would continue to provide the necessary support should the need arises. 

He said, “What we have done here is to wet your appetite and inspire you to optimize it beyond what NITDA has done for you. We expect you to maximize your businesses models by pulling resources together.  

Dr Bakare however called on the management to help the beneficiaries in monitoring and supervising the farms in order to ensure it is self sustaining. 

“We sincerely thank the Vice Chancellor, the Dean of the faculty of Agriculture and entire staff for unfettered support to make this programme a reality and we believe that it will spur you to expand the scope far above what NITDA has donated,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof kayode Adebowale who was represented by Pro. Malachy Akporoga of Soil Science Department said, “the replica of what NITDA has done for the beneficiaries is to light their candles which he believes they would also light other people’s candles with it.” 

“Most of you would leave this school and go out there to replicate what NITDA has done for you. NITDA cannot training all of you but they have found you worthy of the programme and I believe you also help them to train more people, when you start others will follow,” he added. 

He informed that designing another approach to farming like NITDA has done would translate to food sufficiency as food is the most important need of man, adding that adoption of digital technologies in Agriculture has justified that hoe and cutlass are not the end in Agric business but a means to an end. 

He further enjoined the beneficiaries to start farming now because of the situation the world has found itself, noting that anything planted now adds value to wellbeing. “Imagine the price of flour today because Ukraine is in war situation, I call on you to go out there and become the Ukraine of Nigeria,” he admonished. 

The Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Stella Odebowale, in her vote of thanks expressed her appreciation to the Minister, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami and the NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, for their foresight to inject digital technologies in farm practice saying that it would make agriculture attractive to the youths.    

She assured that all the facilities would be used for the purpose they are donated for. We assure you that we would ensure sustainability of this programme and monitor the devices giving to our students to see that they were utilized for the purpose they were given.

Earlier, an Agriculture Entrepreneur, Mr. Akin Alabi, who was also one of the resource persons, noted that NAVSA programme would surely add values to agriculture businesses in Nigeria. “NITDA has impacted the prerequisite knowledge on the beneficiaries to ensure the project does not fail and with this, we can take digital agriculture to the next level.” 

The 75 beneficiaries, who were drawn from different departments of Faculty of Agriculture and Computer Science, were full of praise for NITDA saying that the programme has broaden their horizon to think beyond seeing farming as laborious enterprise. 

Deborah Onuchi, one of the beneficiaries, expressed delight that with the adoption of digital technologies, farming practice has become seamless and enterprising with various opportunities because of the value chain inherent it. 

She promised that with the knowledge NITDA has impacted on her, she has seen agriculture as a business and not as a means to provide sustenance for oneself. 

Meanwhile, during the NITDA team’s visitation to the Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebowale, he commended NITDA for introducing the new trend in agricultural practices to the youths. He maintained that if youths see that adopting smart technologies in agriculture makes it easier, they would surely adopt it. 

“I appreciate the fact that the beneficiaries of this programme are youths who are technological savvy, it acceptability is assured unlike introducing it to the old one who would not accept it because of old farming traditions. They are like dry fish that cannot be straightened,” he concluded.   

Among the facilities NITDA put in place for the successful implementation of the programme at the institution are;  provision of connectivity to the beneficiaries, access to NAVSA platform, facilitation, financial inclusion through the digital wallets on the NAVSA platform, provision of insurance and E-extension services, Provision of smart demo farm, that is, smart irrigation and brooding system, a borehole University satellite farm in Ile-Ogbo, installation of smart irrigation system by NITDA, a 500 litre water  tank, one Horse Power surface water pump, and solar inverter installed for the utilisation of the smart irrigation farm  system. 

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