Babcock University has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s rapidly evolving technology landscape with the launch of its Innovation and Ventures Summit 2026, positioning itself as a key player in the nation’s projected $58 billion tech-driven future by 2030.
The two-day summit, held at the university’s 600-seater main auditorium, marks a significant step towards the establishment of a world-class innovation hub designed to rival global technology clusters and strengthen Nigeria’s position in technology-driven growth.
The event attracted captains of industry, government officials, members of the university community, including the Parents Consultative Forum, as well as tech experts and international facilitators—all united in advancing Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.
Declaring the summit open, the Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Afolarin Ojewole, emphasised the institution’s long-term vision.
> “Through this summit, we are choosing to build a system, not a programme — a system that connects academic rigour to venture creation. Today, we are not launching an event, but an architecture for the future,” he said.
According to him, the proposed innovation hub will serve as a dynamic platform for cutting-edge research, startup incubation, industry collaboration, and the commercialisation of ideas. He added that the initiative is designed to place students at the centre of Nigeria’s digital transformation.
> “We have chosen that your futures can no longer wait. From here, we shall birth great things that the world will respect,” Ojewole stated.
Also lending support, Abayomi Arigbabu, Ogun State Commissioner for Science, Innovation and Technology, reaffirmed the government’s readiness to collaborate with the institution. He noted that the proposed hub would redefine educational and technological narratives at both state and national levels.
Arigbabu highlighted the strategic importance of technology in modern education, aligning with the summit’s focus on artificial intelligence-driven innovation and economic growth.
International stakeholders also underscored the global relevance of the initiative. Nicky Verd, Chief Executive Officer of Digitally Fit, and Arvind Ravishukan, Founder/CEO of Lenz AI Innovations, urged participants to build innovation systems that are globally competitive while remaining locally impactful.
Verd cautioned participants on the responsible use of artificial intelligence:
> “The future will not be led by those who rely on previous experience or on AI, but those who sharpen their thinking with AI. Always fact-check what AI gives you.”
With Nigeria’s growing youth population and expanding digital ecosystem, stakeholders agree that the timing of the summit is critical. The Innovation and Ventures Summit 2026 sets the stage for Babcock University to emerge as a catalyst for technological advancement—bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world innovation.
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