Nigerian students should look beyond the classroom, discover their talents and identify their purpose early enough to prepare for life after graduation.
The Executive Director of Edike Foundation, Mr. Oluwatimilehin Akinola, made the call on Saturday during the 2026 edition of “Gown To Town,” at the Julius Berger Hall, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State.
The event, which had the theme “Beyond the Certificate,” was organised to provide students with practical perspectives on life after university and encourage them to explore opportunities beyond traditional classroom education.
Speaking on the vision behind the programme, Akinola said that Edike Foundation was established to promote research, scholarships and initiatives such as “Gown To Town,” with the objective of addressing gaps between education and the realities of the labour market.
According to him, the foundation does not simply encourage young people to become entrepreneurs or employees but seeks to help them identify what they can contribute after graduation.
“Edike Foundation was established for research, scholarships and the “Gown To Town” event. We identify the lapses in the labour market.
“We are here not just to talk about entrepreneurship and becoming an employee. We let them know that entrepreneurship means identifying what you think you can do after graduation,” he said.
Akinola explained that the 2026 edition was the second edition of “Gown To Town,” following the success of the inaugural programme, which featured speakers from different industries who shared their experiences with participants.
He said that the foundation believes in continuity, hence the decision to organise the programme again.
“This is the second edition of the event. We had the first edition with different speakers from different industries, who talked to people who are gainfully employed but have got to a level in their lives. We believe in continuity at Edike Foundation, which is why we are doing it this year again,” he said.
Although the event was held at the University of Lagos, Akinola said it was not designed exclusively for UNILAG students.
He disclosed that while the organisers initially targeted about 150 participants, approximately 170 students registered for the event, with only about 25 per cent coming from the University of Lagos.
“We have students from Bowen University, Lagos State University, University of Ilorin and others. What we are doing is what bothers them too,” he said.
According to him, feedback from the first edition showed that students benefited from the discussions and were able to obtain answers to questions concerning their careers and future.
“From the feedback we had last year, they were able to get answers to their questions. I believe from the discussions we have had today, I have also gained something. You cannot stop learning,” Akinola said.
The Edike Foundation boss also urged young people to discover their purpose and build their careers and businesses around it.
He admitted that his own journey towards discovering purpose did not happen immediately after graduation.
“The idea of Edike Foundation is built on a vision and it is built on a purpose. My advice to the young ones is that they must find their purpose.
“I didn’t even find my purpose until I finished school. I found purpose about eight years ago and I found my purpose in my late 20s. I found my vision too and built businesses around my purpose,” he said.
Akinola said that discovering his purpose had given him greater clarity and direction.
“I can tell you that nothing can confuse me now as I have already found my purpose,” he added.
He encouraged students to remain diligent and persistent, saying that commitment to their responsibilities could help them discover their purpose.
“If you are diligent in what you are doing, you will find your purpose and it is very easy. Your purpose has to have continuity such that even when you die it will continue,” he said.
According to him, young people should also document their vision and work consistently towards achieving it.
“Our purpose is education and we are not limited to Nigeria. We have our footprints in some African countries too, where we are trying to go.
“Once you can write your vision out like it is written in the Book of Habakkuk in the Bible, you would even see that you are not the only one pushing your purpose. People are actually pushing it for you,” he said.
Speaking from his experience as an employer of labour, Akinola said that employers were primarily interested in workers who demonstrated diligence and commitment.
“I am an employer of labour. There is nothing big employers of labour are looking for apart from diligence, and this comprises timeliness, hard work, commitment and a lot of other things,” he said.
He therefore encouraged students to develop strong work ethics alongside their academic qualifications.
Akinola also disclosed that Edike Foundation currently sponsors six students in schools and provides them with stipends to support their education.
He explained that the foundation operates as the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Edike Africa, a business enterprise with interests within the education sector.
“We have six students that we sponsor in schools and we give them stipends too. Edike Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Edike Africa, which is a business enterprise. It is also within the education system,” he said.
According to him, the foundation’s scholarship programme is designed to assist students who have lost either of their parents and meet the required criteria.
He explained that applicants must provide evidence of the loss, including a death certificate, before being considered for support.
“The criteria for the scholarship is clear. We are not happy that someone loses one of his or her parents, but the person must have lost a parent and he or she must show the death certificate,” Akinola said.
He added that the initiative was designed to reduce the financial burden placed on families following the death of a parent.
“We will then take off the burden from the parents, either it is the father or mother that has died,” he said.
Akinola stressed that the foundation’s interventions were not limited to financial assistance, noting that sponsors and partners also contributed to supporting students.
The “Gown To Town” 2026 programme brought together students and stakeholders interested in education, career development, entrepreneurship and the transition from academic life to the workplace.
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