The University of Lagos (UNILAG), long recognized as a hub for entrepreneurship and skill development, has inspired a new generation of students to reshape mindsets and unlock their full potential.

In line with this vision, a group of enterprising students hosted the Global Skillshift Conference 2025 on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Resources Centre (AMDRC), UNILAG.

According to the Convener of the conference , Mr. Abdul-Basit Ebunoluwa, Global Skillshift Conference 2025 is a transformative summit designed to equip young Africans with the skills, mindset, and opportunities needed to thrive globally.

He emphasized that the event’s mission is to transition students from job seekers to job creators, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset across the university and encouraging students to think boldly while creating real-world impact.

The conference drew a diverse audience of experts, academics, students, and staff, and of UNILAG, including Deputy Dean II, Students Affairs Division, Dr. Abdulganiy Ridwanulahi Iyanda.

The Untold Blueprint: How Africa’s Boldest Minds Can Write the Rules of Global Business

Setting the tone for the event, Keynote Speaker and a Supply-chain expert, Engineer Akin-Olugbade spoke on the topic The Untold Blueprint: How Africa’s Boldest Minds Can Write the Rules of Global Business. He pointed out that success is a culmination of deliberate and consistent efforts over a period of time.

The founder of Kawal Technologies described the early years of business as “silent auditions”, a period filled with pressure, discomfort, and frequent challenges.

Drawing from his own journey, Engineer Akin-Olugbade explained how founders evolve from generalists to specialists, before recruiting domain experts in areas such as sales, marketing, and technology to scale their enterprises. He cited strategic partnerships adopted by companies like Julius Berger Nigeria as examples of how businesses grew sustainably while creating meaningful industry impact.

Insightful Conversations and Career Clinic

The Global Skillshift Conference 2025 also featured two panel sessions and a Career Clinic. The first panel session, themed The Employability Gap: Why Skilled Africans Still Struggle to Get Jobs brought together industry professionals who shared candid insights on the challenges young Africans face in the job market.

Moderated by Halimat Amzat, the first panel had Olufunto Okuboyejo (Head of Digital Marketing/IT at First Ally Capital), Mr. Tofunmi Okedeji (Co-Founder of Axia Africa), and Nnanna Kalu (Cloud Solutions Architect at Huawei Nigeria). The skillfully guided conversations by the panelists centred on practical solutions for Africa’s youth to enhance their competitiveness in the global job market.

The second panel session on The Smart Start: Building Dreams Without Sacrificing Education had panelists such as David Mark (Computer Science Student, UNILAG and Software Engineer), and Odunayo James (Medical Student, Olabisi Onabanjo University and Founder, Virtual Media Agency). The session focused on balancing academic commitments with entrepreneurial pursuits, inspiring students to pursue innovative ideas without compromising their education.

Tagged Brand Yourself, the Career Clinic was led by Kayode Balikis (Co-Founder of Job Bus Stop). The clinic provided participants with practical guidance on developing personal brands, communicating value, and standing out in competitive professional environments.

SkillShift Innovation Challenge (SIC)

The highlight of Global Skillshift Conference 2025 was the SkillShift Innovation Challenge (SIC), that showcased the creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities of young Africans. Unlike traditional contests, SIC emphasized ideas as the ultimate product and the participant’s voice as the most powerful tool.

Participants were tasked with identifying real-world problems, thinking on their feet under pressure, and proposing practical, impactful solutions in real time. The challenge tested clarity of thought, originality, and the ability to articulate innovative solutions effectively, making it a true measure of entrepreneurial mindset and strategic thinking.

After a keenly contested challenge, Mr. Abdulwakeel Kesington and Oyeyipo Emmanuel emerged winners. Toyobo Damilola came second and Israel Olorunfemi was the third-place winner.

The competition was adjudicated by the President of the Provident Green Club of Lagos, Mr. Eke Njoku who commended participants for demonstrating creativity, courage, and confidence necessary to transform ideas into tangible impact. (University of Lagos)