Campus News

Oloyede urges Telecom students to network, drive innovation

By Bashir Dawodu

The Head of the Department of Information Technology, University of Ilorin, Dr Muktahir Oluwaseyi Oloyede, has called on students of Telecommunication Science to actively engage with experts in the tech industry to drive innovation and provide solutions to pressing societal challenges.

Dr Oloyede made the call last Tuesday (June 3, 2025) while speaking at the grand finale of the maiden Technology and Innovation Challenge organised by the Department at CIS Lecture Theater.

He said “We are now living in a technological world,” adding, “Try to be creative and innovative for the development of society.”

He underscored the importance of collaboration, urging students to focus not just on building machines, but on creating real world solutions to both existing and emerging problems.

According to him, technology continues to bolster the global economy, reduce unemployment, and offer Nigeria a sustainable path away from overdependence on the oil sector.

Dr Oloyede noted that challenges such as poor power supply, limited internet connectivity, and inadequate stakeholder participation threaten the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy. These, he suggested, could be overcome through strategic policy making.

He equally encouraged students to cultivate creativity, embrace connectivity, and share ideas across industries for broader impact.

Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, Prof. Lukman Adesina Azeez, commended the Department for organising what he described as a “highly impactful initiative”.

Prof. Azeez urged students to take pride in their innovations, noting that many had already begun generating income through tech ventures.

“Identify problems and develop solutions,” he advised. “Be a source of inspiration to others.”

In her welcome address, the Head of the Department of Telecommunication Science, Dr Adeniran Caroline, commended the students’ creativity and passion for innovation. She encouraged them to embrace digital literacy and self employment.

“Fulfill your part in life by embracing digital literacy,” she said. “No need to search for a job, you are already self- employed as a student.”

Dr Adeniran also thanked sponsors and alumni for their continued support, emphasising that the challenge was more of a learning experience than a competition.

At the end of the contest, Team Samtech emerged as the overall winner, which earned it a cash prize of ₦500,000. Teams QTech Solutions and Medvi secured second and third places, winning ₦300,000 and ₦200,000, respectively.

Dignitaries at the event included the Director, Centre for Laboratory to Product LABTOP, Prof. M.J. Saka; the Director, Centre for Research, Development and In-House Training (CREDIT), Prof. Abdulkareem Oloyede; Prof. R. O. Oladele, Dr Hakeem Akande, and Mr Abdulrahman Musbau Dogo, among others.