…as 2025 edition of University Entrepreneurship Week holds
Babcock University has reaffirmed that the institution is now more deliberate than ever in embedding an entrepreneurial mindset across its entire campus.
Ayodeji Ajibade, director of Babcock Entrepreneurship Development Centre (BEDC) made this known during the third edition of Babcock Entrepreneurship Week (BEW), with the theme: ‘Entrepreneurship in Action: From ideas to impact’, held recently at institution’s Ilishan-Remo campus in Ogun State.
Ajibade emphasised that the programme is meant to foster innovation, creativity, and the entrepreneurial spirit within the Babacock University community.
“This year’s edition stands out as a unique milestone in our journey, reflecting our growing commitment to entrepreneurship in all its forms. As an institution, we are now more deliberate than ever in embedding an entrepreneurial mindset across our entire campus.
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“We believe that this shift will not only equip our students with the skills needed for success in today’s dynamic world but will also inspire all stakeholders, faculty, staff, and community, to embrace the opportunities that entrepreneurial thinking brings,” he said.
Iyke Ikegwuonu, a representative from the University of Glasgow in his address focused on a global business perspective, he challenged participants to think beyond local markets and embrace innovation, global trends, and international business opportunities; as he urged students to always think of problems and how to be a source of the solution to those problems.
“Writing an application to find a job is writing an application to be a servant, you should think of problems and how you can be a source of the solution to those problems; people will pay you for your solution as long as it is a real solution to a real problem,” he said.
Gbenga Ademujimi, a certified life coach for Human Design Systems and Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner from the prestigious The Coaching Academy, UK, speaking on ‘Mind of an Entrepreneur’, said, “You can’t dream of becoming an eagle, but walking with chickens.
“Focus on the goal and avoid distractions at all cost, even if the distractions are people with a chicken mindset around you.”
Ademola Tayo, vice chancellor of Babcock University in his address, commended all the ‘BEW’ contestants on their innovations, and admonished them embrace sportsmanship spirit.
“In every contest, there are winners and some that would not win, those that would not win should not be discouraged but continue working on their innovations, as they may be the ones to emerge winners in next semester’s Babcock Innovation Challenge,” he said.
The 2025 edition of the Babcock Entrepreneurship Week was jointly organised by the Babcock Entrepreneurship Development Centre, and the Babcock University Students Entrepreneurship Club.
Uchenna Aguocha-Ohiagbaji, president of the Babcock University Students Entrepreneurship Club in his address said the 2025 theme: “Entrepreneurship in Action: From ideas to impact”, reflects the institution and club’s commitment to moving beyond theory to real-world value creation.
One of the highlights of the week-long entrepreneurship event was the grand finale of Babcock Innovation Challenge (BIC) 4.0.
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The BIC 4.0 grand finale took centre stage on day four, and out of 17 startup applications, the top five teams from Babcock University advanced to the final pitch session.
The business grant prize money for winners are N1,000,000 for first winners, N750,000 for the first runner-up, and N500,000 for the second runner-up.
According to the organisers, in addition to the financial grants, the three startups will receive incubation support to further refine and scale their ventures.
The event also featured the alumni and student entrepreneurs’ hangout, a relaxed yet impactful session that brought together successful Babcock alumni entrepreneurs and current students.
One of the organisers told BusinessDay that the interactive event was to create an opportunity for students to have one-on-one conversations with alumni they admire, ask questions, seek guidance, and gain practical insights into real-world entrepreneurship.
Complementing the indoor programmes were outdoor exhibitions that ran throughout the week. Student entrepreneurs had the opportunity to exhibit and sell their products, test their business ideas, engage customers, and gain exposure.
This marketplace-style experience added a practical layer to the week’s events, encouraging creativity, salesmanship, and resilience.
