The University of Lagos has declared its intent to move beyond conventional academic boundaries, with Vice Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola telling attendees at the maiden NITHUB Innovation Fair 2026 on Tuesday that the institution is deliberately reinventing itself as a platform where ideas become viable businesses.

Delivering her opening address at the three day event held on the UNILAG campus, Ogunsola said universities can no longer limit their responsibilities to teaching and research, arguing that knowledge generated within their walls must translate into solutions to societal challenges and sustainable enterprises.

She pointed to NITHUB, the university's innovation hub established in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency, as the engine driving this transition, noting that it focuses on talent development, product innovation and startup incubation through training in artificial intelligence, blockchain, data science, software engineering, the Internet of Things, hardware prototyping and mentorship.

Dr Victor Odumuyiwa, the pioneer director of NITHUB, reflected on the hub's growth over the past five years, disclosing that it has trained over 20,000 Nigerians in digital skills, developed more than 15 innovative products and services, and supported over 100 startups through pre incubation, incubation and acceleration.

"In five years, this hub has empowered over 20,000 people with technology skills. Not certificates gathering dust, but skills that pay," Odumuyiwa stated.

He added that NITHUB alumni are currently writing code for international firms and building businesses that employ others, describing the hub's journey from an institution with no staff or programmes into one of Nigeria's leading university based innovation centres.

Ogunsola also noted that eight UNILAG student founded startups recently secured a combined N50m under the Federal Government's Student Venture Capital Grant scheme, out of only 45 innovators selected nationwide from over 30,000 applications.

The fair featured technology exhibitions, panel discussions and networking sessions connecting innovators with investors and industry leaders. Panellists discussed artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, startup growth and strategies for building sustainable technology businesses in Nigeria.