A Fintech company, Moniepoint Inc. has unveiled a N3 billion commitment to establish innovation hubs across three Nigerian universities to boost technology education, entrepreneurship and youth employment. The Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint Inc., Tosin Eniolorunda, unveiled the initiative at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife on Monday. Eniolorunda said that the innovation hubs would be established in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, the University of Nigeria (UNN) in Nsukka, and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria. He said that the hubs are to promote practical learning, startup incubation and industry collaboration, and would be designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry. The Moniepoint boss added that the facilities would also expose students to practical technology education, innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities. Eniolorunda, an Alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, said: “What we are building will not just be physical infrastructure. “We are creating environments where students can build practical skills, collaborate and prepare properly for the future.” According to him, the hubs will serve students across disciplines such as Engineering, Sciences, Arts, Medicine, Law and Social Sciences. Eniolorunda recalled that Moniepoint Inc. had earlier established a Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD-CAM) Laboratory for OAU’s Mechanical Engineering Department. He noted that the Fintech had also launched scholarships across seven Nigerian campuses. Also speaking at the unveiling, the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Simeon Bamire, described the initiative as a strategic intervention. Bamire said that the initiative was capable of reducing unemployment and strengthening innovation ecosystems within universities. He said the University had already approved land for the innovation hub, making Moniepoint Inc., the first private organisation to establish such a facility on the campus. “We are already nurturing about 10 startups on campus. With this intervention, that number can double within the next few years,” he said. Bamire added that the university was developing what he described as the fastest-growing Information and Communications Technology park in West Africa to attract more industry partnerships and investments. Also, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) (Academic), OAU, Prof. Ganiyu Aderonmu, said the initiative marked another milestone in strengthening collaboration between academia and industry. Aderonmu said the university appreciated the sustained support of Moniepoint Inc. toward educational development, digital transformation and technological advancement. “Beyond today’s innovation initiative, Moniepoint has consistently demonstrated commitment to educational development and technological advancement through various interventions within university communities,” he said. The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Prof. Adamu Ahmed, represented by the DVC, Advancement, Innovation & Research, ABU, Prof. Aliyu Sanusi, commended Eniolorunda for giving back to the institution that shaped his career and vision. Ahmed said the initiative would inspire students to innovate, collaborate and build globally competitive solutions. He noted that Nigerian universities required stronger private sector partnerships to scale innovation and youth development. Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Prof. Uchenna Ortuanya, represented by the DVC, Academics, UNN, Prof. Kamoru Usman, said the initiative reflected the need for Nigeria to harness indigenous ideas for national development. Ortuanya described the donation as a major contribution toward preserving knowledge, restoring human dignity and empowering future generations through innovation. He assured that the university would maximise the opportunities provided by the project for the benefit of students and researchers. Also present at the event, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, commended Moniepoint Inc., for investing in education, innovation and youth empowerment. The traditional ruler urged other corporate organisations and alumni of tertiary institutions to support universities through infrastructure development, grants and innovation projects. He said sustainable national growth would require stronger collaboration among government, industry and academia. The event attracted academics, students, innovation stakeholders and industry leaders from across the country. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the highlight of the unveiling was a pitch-a-thon where three winners emerged. The first runner-up of the pitch-a-thon, Electric Vehicle won gifts worth N200,000, the second runner-up, Fillasurvey won gifts worth N300,000 and the winner, Meet Funke won N500,000 in gifts. NAN