Babcock University Vice-Chancellor Advocates for Practical Competence and Commercial Viability in Modern Education
In a significant address ahead of the upcoming AI & Babcock Innovation Venture (BIV) Commercialization Summit 2026, Babcock University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, has underscored the urgent need for a paradigm shift towards practical competence and commercial viability in today's world. He emphasized that success in the global economy is increasingly driven by tangible skills rather than mere academic certificates, marking a pivotal moment for educational institutions across Africa.
Summit Details and Objectives
The two-day summit is scheduled to take place from April 21 to 22, 2026, at the university's BUTH 600-seater venue in Ilishan-Remo. This high-level gathering aims to accelerate venture creation and deepen the adoption of artificial intelligence across the continent. It will convene global technology leaders, innovators, and policymakers to focus on practical pathways for building, funding, and scaling globally competitive, AI-driven enterprises.
Professor Ojewole stated, "The world no longer rewards certificates but skills. Empowerment without business education is incomplete. Our innovators must be both technically proficient and commercially aware." This aligns with ongoing efforts by the Federal Government of Nigeria to reposition universities as hubs for artificial intelligence and innovation, with Babcock University leveraging this momentum to strengthen linkages between academia and industry.
University's Commitment to Innovation and Skills Development
Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Ojewole highlighted the institution's commitment to developing a robust innovation ecosystem through the BIV. He noted that the university has made deliberate investments to equip students for the future, bridging the gap between academic learning and the professional world of startups and established enterprises. "Before we can become better builders or entrepreneurs, we must first become better humans. Efficiency without transformation is just speed in the wrong direction," he added, stressing the importance of aligning technological advancement with human values.
A major highlight of the summit is the planned operationalisation of the Babcock Innovation and Venture Centre, envisioned as a dedicated commercialization hub. This centre will enable the university to transform research, innovation, and data into market-ready products, allowing researchers to derive economic value from their intellectual property. "We want to put all these into the market so that researchers can begin to earn from their intellectual properties. This will further encourage productivity and reward for labour," Ojewole explained.
Supporting Initiatives and Expected Impact
The university's "From Garage to Global" initiative, alongside programmes such as the Digital Growth Workshop and the Babcock Innovative Enterprise Challenge (BEIC), continues to foster a vibrant innovation ecosystem within the institution. The event will attract key government stakeholders, including the Guest of Honour, Kingsley T. Udeh, Minister of Innovation, signaling strong federal backing for initiatives that bridge academia and industry.
Participants will benefit from insights from an international lineup of experts, including Abdullah Alsalmani, Nissi Madu, Arvind Ravishunkar, Nicky Verd, Opa Peter Obadare, Bekere Amassoma, Folawemi Umunna, Charles Nnaji, and Okikioluwa Onamade. With this diverse roster of global thought leaders, the summit is expected to deliver actionable insights into leveraging artificial intelligence for innovation and economic growth across Africa.
Encouraging Broad Participation
Attendance at the summit is free, and the university has encouraged students, academics, and industry stakeholders to take advantage of this opportunity to gain transformative knowledge and skills. Interested participants can register via the official summit portal, highlighting Babcock University's commitment to accessible education and practical skill development in the rapidly evolving global landscape.
