Kitaw identifies student clubs as backbone of UNILORIN STIP framework
By Tajudeen Babamale
A Visiting Professor at the University of Ilorin, Prof. Daniel Kitaw, has urged students of the institution to embrace the University’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Park (STIP) initiative by actively participating in student-led innovation clubs that will prepare them to transition from “learners” to “solvers”.
Prof. Kitaw gave the admonition last Monday (March 30, 2026) during an interactive session with student representatives across Departments, Faculties and Student Union held at the University Auditorium.
The visiting scholar, who is a Professor of Industrial Engineering (IE) at Addis Ababa Institute of Technology (AAiT), Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopia, explained that the STIP initiative is designed with a clear vision of positioning the University of Ilorin as a leading hub for Nigeria’s science- and technology-driven business ecosystem.
Prof. Kitaw, who specialises in Technology Transfer, Productivity Improvement, Quality Assurance Engineering, Supply Chain Management and Global Competitiveness, said UNILORIN must become an Entrepreneurial University that provides opportunities, practices, and a conducive environment that actively encourages students, graduates, and staff to embrace entrepreneurship. He noted that global experience has shown that successful techno-parks are built on critical factors, particularly the concentration of talent nurtured through well-developed student clubs.
He explained that student clubs serve as the foundational building blocks of the STIP framework, as they help cultivate innovation skills and mindsets at the grassroots level. According to him, such platforms expose students to iterative problem-solving approaches, which form the backbone of research and development in science, technology, and innovation ecosystems.
While stating that these clubs could also foster networking and collaboration, the Professor of Industrial Engineering explained that universities across the world use such platforms to build strong alumni networks that facilitate mentorship, knowledge transfer, and strategic partnerships.
While also stating the core objective of the initiative, Prof. Kitaw said that the ultimate goal is to transform students of the University of Ilorin into solution-driven individuals equipped with the networks and portfolios needed to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He, however, reiterated that active student participation in clubs such as the “Design Club,” which could serve as a platform for organising design thinking workshops, and the Innovation Club, as a hub for idea incubation where theoretical knowledge acquired in classrooms is transformed into commercially viable solutions, among others, is critical to the success of the STIP initiative.
Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, called on students to play active roles in the institution’s drive to establish a Science, Technology and Innovation Park (STIP), stating that their participation is critical to its success.
The Vice Chancellor explained that the proposed STIP is a key component of the University’s broader developmental agenda, aimed at repositioning the institution within the framework of global best practices in research, innovation, and industry collaboration.
He disclosed that as part of efforts to actualise the project, the University management had undertaken study visits to several countries to understudy successful models of science and technology parks. According to him, these visits revealed that thriving innovation ecosystems are built on strong synergy among government, academia, and industry with active involvement of the students.
Prof. Egbewole noted that one of the major challenges facing developing economies, including Nigeria, is the disconnect among these critical sectors, which often operate in isolation. He observed that for a long time, universities and industries have functioned in silos, with limited collaboration and mutual engagement.
The Vice Chancellor stressed that the success of this initiative is inherently tied to student involvement. He maintained that no meaningful partnership with industry can be sustained without integrating students into the process, as they represent the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
He, therefore, urged students to take ownership of the STIP initiative by actively participating in innovation-driven programmes and clubs that will emerge from the project, noting that their engagement will not only enhance their academic experience but it would also prepare them for real-world challenges.
The Vice Chancellor also reaffirmed the commitment of the University to building a vibrant innovation ecosystem that connects research to industry while empowering students to contribute meaningfully to national development.
