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By Hauwa Mohammed
Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) held what will be its last convocation lecture as a college, as the institution prepares to officially transition into two new federal universities next year “Yaba University of Technology and Vocational Studies,” and “the Federal University of Science and Technology, Epe, Lagos State.”
The historic 37th Convocation Lecture, held at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium, opened with a strong call for technological innovation and digital entrepreneurship as central pillars of Nigeria’s economic future.
In his address, the Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, said the theme of the lecture“ Entrepreneurship Development in the Digital Age: Leveraging Technology for Job Creation and Economic Growth” perfectly aligns with the college’s new mandate as it transitions into a specialized technology and vocational institution.
He noted that YABATECH is intentionally repositioning itself to produce innovators capable of shaping the future of work, rather than job seekers struggling to fit into it.
Dr. Abdul announced major projects designed to strengthen the new university’s national relevance, including a National Skills Resource Centre equipped with AI, block chain and immersive technology labs; a solar-powered smart campus ecosystem; and a Science, Technology and Business Incubation Hub that will nurture student-led enterprises in fintech, agritech, digital health and creative technology.
He added that these initiatives represent YABATECH’s contribution to driving national productivity, job creation and digital economic growth.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, described the ceremony as a “homecoming with purpose,” noting that the institution shaped his values, curiosity and resilience nearly 30 years ago.
Oyedele stressed that the topic of the lecture is not merely academic but a national economic necessity, especially as technology continues to democratize opportunity for young innovators across the world.
He highlighted various national programmes that support the digital economy, including the 3MTT initiative, the Nigeria Startup Act, the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFund) and massive broadband investments.
According to him, these efforts form a productive ecosystem that will enable Nigerian youths to compete globally, innovate boldly and secure high-value digital jobs. He added that the new tax reform laws coming into effect in 2026 would open fresh opportunities in global outsourcing and technology-driven work.
The chairman urged graduating students to adopt continuous learning, creativity and resilience as core values. He emphasized that certificates alone can no longer determine success, and encouraged students not to fear failure, noting that every global entrepreneur has experienced setbacks on their journey.
Oyedele called on government agencies, academic institutions and industry partners to work together to build an innovation-friendly environment where young people can experiment, rebuild and scale their ideas.
The guest speaker, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele expressed strong enthusiasm for the topic of the lecture, describing it as timely in a nation whose economic history has been marked by poverty, mass unemployment, low productivity and youth restiveness.
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He said there is “no better time to deepen advocacy for digital economy, technological innovation and wealth creation than now,” especially as Nigeria seeks sustainable pathways to prosperity.
Senator Bamidele explained that to leverage technology for national progress, Nigeria must first recognise digital transformation as a necessity rather than an option.
According to him, the country must invest heavily in digital skills, strong institutions and innovation ecosystems that will empower young Nigerians to create jobs, generate wealth and expand economic opportunity across all sectors.
He noted that technological advancement “does not simply produce wealth it multiplies opportunities.”
The guest speaker also emphasized the importance of aligning government policies with innovation-led development.
He urged government ministries, regulatory bodies and development agencies to strengthen institutions, remove barriers to entrepreneurship and build resilience in the economy through supportive laws that encourage digital solutions and industrial growth.
Senator Bamidele recommended that the private sector intensify investments in research, digital infrastructure and skills development, stressing that only a collaborative environment can drive large-scale digital transformation.
He added that Nigeria’s business community must adopt a forward-looking approach that rewards creativity, agility and problem-solving.
The lawmaker urged educational institutions to redesign their curricula to reflect emerging global realities by incorporating practical skills, digital literacy and innovation-driven learning.
According to him, schools must equip students to become creators of economic value, not just certificate holders waiting for employment.
The senator also challenged Nigerian youth to approach the digital age with courage, curiosity and discipline. He noted that the digital economy rewards those who are bold enough to experiment, persistent enough to refine ideas and creative enough to solve real problems within their communities. “Your smartphone is a workstation, your imagination is a production line,” he told the students.
Senator Bamidele further encouraged women entrepreneurs not to view the digital economy as male-dominated, noting that the National Assembly has passed several laws to support innovation, strengthen institutions and promote digital inclusiveness. He stressed that the new legal frameworks demonstrate a national commitment to empowering all citizens.
Bamidele reiterated that Nigeria cannot achieve its development dreams without embracing innovation, expanding digital business and modernizing governance.
He urged stakeholders government, private sector, academia and entrepreneurs to deepen their collective capacity to leverage technology, build resilience and promote dignity of work. He praised the National Assembly for its support and commended YABATECH for its leadership role as it prepares for its new identity as a full-fledged technology and vocational university.
