UI Empowers 39 Young Entrepreneurs with Grants at 2025 SME Fair
The University of Ibadan (UI) in Oyo State has launched its 2025 Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Fair, awarding grants of N100,000 to N500,000 to 39 young entrepreneurs to support start-ups and business growth.
The two-day event, themed “Inspiring Next-Gen SMEs: Igniting Ideas, Innovations, and Building Resilience,” opened on Wednesday at the university’s International Conference Centre, attracting students, investors, policymakers, and financial institutions from across Nigeria.
Speaking at the opening, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kayode Adebowale, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Juwon Arotiba, described the fair as a platform where “knowledge meets opportunity and innovation becomes impact.” He emphasised that SMEs drive job creation, innovation, and economic growth, urging participants to embrace resilience and creativity.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships), Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, highlighted the fair’s role in nurturing young business leaders. Meanwhile, Kingsley Aigbokhaevbo, Deputy Managing Director of Providus Bank, praised the initiative for providing mentorship, digital skills, and funding support to transform ideas into sustainable enterprises.
The fair also includes exhibitions, pitch competitions, and business development sessions. Selected entrepreneurs will receive intensive training to enhance their capacity for growth and competitiveness.
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