Nigerian university launches BPO platform, innovation fund for graduates
ADO EKITI, NIGERIA—Ekiti State University’s (EKSU) newly appointed chancellor, Tunji Olowolafe, recently announced the creation of a global business process outsourcing (BPO) platform specifically for the university’s top graduates.
During EKSU’s 28th convocation ceremony, Olowolafe explained that the platform will boost the employability and business skills of the university’s top 100 graduates, enabling them to contribute to the global economy.
“I believe in harnessing the untapped potential of our youths, particularly in fields like business process outsourcing,” Olowolafe stated.
“To this end, I am excited to create a platform for 100 of our brightest minds to engage in work that challenges them and grows their skills.”
EKSU’s BPO platform is in line with Nigeria’s efforts to capture a substantial share of the global BPO market. Just last month, the federal government launched its Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) to create millions of jobs and catalyze growth in the BPO and IT-enabled services sector.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment also recently inked a partnership with cybersecurity institute Lab Four to bring 50,000 full-time BPO jobs to the country within the next three years.
In addition to the BPO platform, Olowolafe unveiled an innovation fund worth NGN1 billion Nigerian Nairas ($772,000) to support agro-tech companies founded by EKSU students and alumni.
Furthermore, the chancellor announced a new program to subsidize capacity-building for the university’s academic staff.
These announcements by Olowolafe underscore a strategic approach to education and employment, focusing on practical empowerment and the creation of opportunities for the youth to excel in the competitive global market.
The initiatives are also poised to position EKSU graduates as valuable contributors to the international workforce and as innovators in the agro-tech industry.
