Innovation is fast becoming a defining part of the University of Lagos experience, with students increasingly transforming classroom ideas into thriving businesses and technology-driven solutions.
The latest proof came as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, revealed that eight student-led startups from the institution secured a combined ₦50 million under the Federal Government’s Student Venture Capital Grant scheme.
Ogunsola made the disclosure on Tuesday while delivering the opening address at the maiden NITHUB Innovation Fair 2026, where she highlighted the university’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Speaking on the theme, “University of Lagos as a Platform for Innovation and Enterprise,” the vice-chancellor said the institution is intentionally evolving beyond its traditional role of teaching and research to become a place where innovative ideas are developed into sustainable businesses.
She disclosed that more than 30,000 applications were submitted nationwide when the Federal Government launched the Student Venture Capital Grant scheme, but only 45 innovators were selected.
According to her, eight of the successful beneficiaries came from the University of Lagos, attracting a combined ₦50 million to support their startups.
“I hosted those young founders in my office, and I can tell you that their poise and clarity would humble many seasoned executives.
“That outcome was not luck. It is what happens when training, infrastructure and opportunity are aligned on one campus, over time, on purpose,” she said.
Ogunsola stressed that universities must now go beyond producing graduates by ensuring that research and innovation translate into practical solutions that address societal challenges and create economic opportunities.
She described the National Information Technology Hardware and Software Development Centre (NITHUB), established in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency, as the university’s innovation engine.
According to her, the centre focuses on talent development, product innovation and startup incubation through training in artificial intelligence, blockchain, software engineering, data science, the Internet of Things, hardware prototyping and mentorship.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of NITHUB, Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa, said the centre has trained more than 20,000 Nigerians in digital skills and supported over 100 startups within the last five years.
Reflecting on the hub’s journey since becoming its pioneer director five years and five months ago, Odumuyiwa said NITHUB has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading university-based innovation hubs.
“In five years, this hub has empowered over 20,000 people with technology skills. Not certificates gathering dust, but skills that pay.
“Our alumni are today writing code for international firms, earning in currencies their parents once only saw on exchange-rate boards, and lifting entire families as they rise,” he said.
He added that the centre has developed more than 15 innovative products and services across sectors such as health, finance, education and energy.
“We have supported over 100 startups through pre-incubation, incubation and acceleration.
“Some of them are in this hall right now, standing beside their products. Five years ago, they were ideas in notebooks. Today they are employers of labour,” he said.
The three-day innovation fair featured technology exhibitions, panel discussions and networking sessions designed to connect young innovators with investors, industry leaders and stakeholders in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem.
Panel discussions featured technology experts, entrepreneurs and innovation leaders, including the Founder of GiDiPIN and Patchwork, Akinrodolu Oluwaseun; software developer, Simi Oluwatomi; Co-founder of Flow Research, Julian Duru; AI Product Developer and Innovation Strategist, Dr. Olumide Okubadejo; and Babatunde Fatai of MTN Nigeria, who shared insights on entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, startup growth and building sustainable technology-driven businesses.
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