Egbewole urges ITF to support graduates with startup funding
By Tajudeen Babamale
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has appealed to the Industrial Trust Fund (ITF) to expand its interventions to include financial support for graduates who require startup capital to transform innovative ideas into viable enterprises.
Prof. Egbewole, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole, made the appeal last Wednesday (January 14, 2026) while receiving a team from the ITF alongside officials of the University of Ilorin Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), who visited him ahead of the 2026 SIWES Annual Pre-Placement Orientation Programme.
The Vice Chancellor acknowledged the importance of entrepreneurship education and practical skills acquisition, but stressed that such efforts must be complemented with post-graduation support to ensure sustainability.
He also expressed concern over the gap that often arises after graduation, when students who have acquired skills and developed viable ideas are unable to implement them due to lack of capital. He noted that without access to funding, many promising ideas are at risk of being abandoned.
Prof. Egbewole, therefore, urged the ITF to initiate programmes that would provide financial backing or startup grants for graduates, describing such support as essential to translating skills acquisition into tangible economic outcomes.
Speaking earlier, the Director of Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), University of Ilorin, Prof. Roland Monday Kayode, appreciated the University management for its continued support, particularly the approval of a proposal submitted by the SIWES Centre by the Senate of the University. He pointed out that the new policy would significantly improve the assessment and grading process of students participating in the SIWES programme.
The Director said the revised grading system would integrate inputs from multiple stakeholders involved in the programme, which include assessments from industry-based supervisors, institution-based supervisors within the University, as well as lecturers directly in charge of SIWES students. He stated that the contributions from all these parties would be collated and harmonised to arrive at a final score for each student.
Meanwhile, the Head of Training of the Industrial Trust Fund (ITF), Mr Onipede Ibrahim, who led the ITF delegation, commended the University of Ilorin for its outstanding performance in the implementation of the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).
Mr Ibrahim described the SIWES Pre-Placement Orientation Programme as a routine but critical exercise designed to adequately prepare students and all relevant stakeholders for effective participation in the scheme.
He noted that, based on available records, the University of Ilorin remains the best-performing institution in the execution of SIWES in Kwara State, describing the feat as commendable. He addded that the consistency and professionalism of the University SIWES Unit have continued to set a standard worthy of emulation.
Mr Ibrahim specifically praised the SIWES Unit for its accessibility and responsiveness, noting that the Unit is always available to provide necessary information and guidance to students and stakeholders.
The ITF official further disclosed that the Fund has several intervention programmes aimed at supporting society through skills development and capacity building. He encouraged the University of Ilorin, particularly its Entrepreneurship Centre, to explore opportunities to key into some of these programmes for the benefit of students and the wider community.
