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Uniosun gets tech hub, as platform inaugurates supervisory board

Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

Opolo Global Innovation, an innovation advisory platform, on Monday inaugurated a supervisory board to manage its Technology and Innovation hub, currently being constructed within the Osogbo campus of Osun state university.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Segun Aina, Chairman Board of Directors, Opolo Global Innovation, noted that the focus of the hub is for problem-solving through innovation and technology, as well as to be able to produce entrepreneurs whose products and services can compete globally.

He said “the idea behind creating the Opolo Global Innovation is to enable it to focus on four different areas that can improve the society. To make the state and the country become a digital economy, also using innovative ideas for both young and old people and to impact the necessary skill for the world of work today, not only for work in Nigeria but for work anywhere in the world.

“There are some skills that are required, both technical, digital and entrepreneurial skill that will make someone ready for the global work environment. We want to create a large number of new entrepreneurs, people that will set up their own businesses, contribute to solving societal problems while when those businesses prosper, they will be paying tax to the government and also employ people to work for them.

“So essentially in summary, what we do is incubation and acceleration of new businesses to grow bigger, not just regular but unique businesses that will solve societal problems in a way that we can scale them globally. Exposing the talents we have in Nigeria to be able to operate and compete at a global level in terms of products, solutions and services that they offer”.

He also added there is an existing partnership to ensure that participants get certified for the training that they will do through the hub.

“For programs that require certification, we have a partnership through the Fintech institute which is a sister organization with the Federal University of Akure for instance, and many other Universities to run some of the long programs that require certification.

“We are also creating the relationship with other Universities outside of Nigeria so that we can bring the town and the gown together in terms of knowledge sharing and then impart, the students, the lecturers and even people from outside the university can come and take part in what is happening in the hub.

Also speaking at the inauguration, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Professor Adefemi Bello expressed gratitude to OGI on behalf of the University management, while promising that the management will ensure that the hub gets the maximum support needed.

He urged members of the board to take their duties as service to humanity and deliver more than what is expected of them.