The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, has charged Nigerian youths to embrace global thinking, digital readiness, and patriotic responsibility as key drivers of national transformation.

He gave the charge while delivering the welcome address at the Youth Opportunity Summit 2025, held on Saturday, December 6, at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan.

The high-profile event, themed “Leveraging Opportunity: Building a Future-Ready Youth,” drew an impressive audience of policymakers, industry captains, development partners, scholars, entrepreneurs, corps members, students, and youth-focused stakeholders from across the country.

Prof. Adebowale began by welcoming the participants on behalf of “the entire University—Council, Senate, staff, and students of the University of Ibadan.” He emphasized that building a sustainable future requires good governance and ethical leadership, noting that Africa’s complex challenges can only be addressed through these lenses.

“A sustainable future is impossible without good governance and ethical leadership. The vast challenges obstructing Africa, including our own Nigeria, can only be addressed through this lens,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor commended initiatives that invest in developing youth leadership capacity. “I am delighted to see initiatives that focus on the training of young people, particularly in governance and leadership—equipping them with the essential skills and values needed for public service,” Prof. Adebowale stated.

Prof. Adebowale stressed that unlocking youth potential must go hand-in-hand with creativity, determination, and knowledge, deployed with a firm moral compass to solve national problems. He added that the nation must break down structural barriers to social mobility.

“As we unlock potential, we must also channel creativity, determination, and knowledge toward solving national challenges with an unwavering moral compass. Unlocking potentials also requires that we dismantle barriers,” he said.

Emphasizing digital inclusion, he called for broader access to online job platforms and remote work opportunities. “We must expand our digital access to ensure that online job platforms and remote work opportunities are within reach for all,” he urged.

Highlighting UI’s commitment to innovation, the VC noted that most digital platforms used in the University are developed internally by students, a testament to their ingenuity. “Most of the platforms we currently use at the University of Ibadan are developed by students of this institution. We do not rely on commercial platforms,” he revealed.

Prof. Adebowale appealed to both private and public sector partners to deepen their collaboration with the University in order to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world experience.

“To all our esteemed partners in government and the private sector, I say: deepen our collaboration. Provide more internship opportunities, participate in career fairs, and help us align academic training with the demands of the global workforce. Your support is the bridge between learning and earning.”

Speaking directly to the young participants, Prof. Adebowale encouraged them to transcend geographical limitations and adopt a global outlook while applying their skills to local development.

“Your aspirations should no longer be confined by geographical boundaries—you are citizens of the world. Continuously upskill. Never stop learning, unlearning, and relearning. Build a strong personal brand, cultivate professional networks, and develop a global mindset.”

He further reminded them that Africa must be seen not as an emerging frontier, but as an integral part of global progress. “Africa isn’t a frontier waiting to be discovered, but a compact of the global community. Use your talent to solve problems in your communities,” he advised.

Prof. Adebowale concluded with a rallying call for collective effort in shaping a future where every Nigerian youth can thrive.

“A future that feels possible is a future within reach. Let us leave this summit with a renewed commitment to action. Let us provide the tools and create the opportunities to foster an environment where every young Nigerian can thrive. Their success is the blueprint for a truly sustainable and prosperous future for Nigeria.”