The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor G.A. Aderounmu, has commended financial technology giant Moniepoint for its continued commitment to driving digital transformation and youth empowerment in Nigeria.
The commendation was delivered in a goodwill message during the official launch of the Moniepoint Innovation Initiative, held in Ile-Ife yesterday. The event drew key industry partners, innovators, academic staff, and students.
Professor Aderounmu described the launch as another important milestone in fostering collaboration between academia and industry towards innovation, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and youth empowerment.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor emphasized that Moniepoint’s latest initiative is part of a sustained relationship rather than an isolated gesture, recalling that two years ago, the fintech company established a state-of-the-art Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) Laboratory for OAU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.
According to Aderounmu, that landmark contribution has yielded measurable results, continuously enhancing practical learning, research capabilities, and technical capacity among both students and faculty members.
“Innovation remains a major catalyst for sustainable development and global relevance. It is therefore commendable that Moniepoint continues to invest in initiatives that empower young people with practical skills, innovative thinking, and opportunities within the rapidly evolving digital economy,” Aderounmu stated.
Reaffirming the university’s institutional vision, Professor Aderounmu noted that OAU remains deeply dedicated to academic excellence and research, stating that the institution highly values private-sector partnerships that complement its ultimate goal: producing graduates who are fully equipped for leadership and societal impact.
Concluding his address, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor urged the student body to fully engage with the programme, encouraging participants to maximize the opportunities presented through this programme to position themselves at the forefront of the continent’s digital shift.