The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) stars mentorship program concluded with Team A emerging as the grand prize winner and awarded 2.5 million naira for their innovative project aimed at addressing real-world challenges.
Their success underscores the program’s commitment to transforming research into worldwide practical, impactful solutions and marks a transformative year since Professor A.O. Adegbulugbe took the reins of the program.
Under the flagship name, The Best Undergraduate & Postgraduate Student Research Opportunity Program (BUSROP), the OAU stars mentorship is designed to merge academic excellence with real-world problem-solving.
It pairs students with experienced mentors from diverse fields, providing them with guidance to tackle global challenges.
Over 240 students were grouped into 46 teams, working on projects that span technology, healthcare, agriculture, and social sciences.
The program, which was created to inspire and empower undergraduate and postgraduate students, has rapidly become a beacon of hope for students, faculty, and industry professionals alike.
Adegbulugbe expressed his pride in the students’ achievements, saying “The aim of this program is to help students transform their research into solutions that address the needs of society. The quality of work we’ve seen this past year demonstrates the potential of our students to make a significant impact.”
When Adegbulugbe took on the role of mentoring and guiding the program’s first cohort, he knew the challenge ahead was big, but so was the potential. With the Best Undergraduate & Postgraduate Student Research Opportunity Program (BUSROP) at its core, it aims to bridge the gap between academic excellence and real-world impact. In just one year, it has exceeded expectations, setting a new standard for research mentorship in academia.
Under Adegbulugbe’s visionary leadership, the program has fostered an environment where innovation meets purpose. Students have been challenged not only to excel in their studies but to think critically and creatively about how their academic work can address the world’s most pressing challenges. And the results speak for themselves.
In addition to Team A’s victory as the winner of the BUSROP Program with a 2.5 million naira grand prize, Team 3 earned the first runner-up prize of 1.5 million naira, while Team B secured the second runner-up prize of 1 million naira. These awards not only recognized the students’ creativity but also highlighted their potential to drive change through innovation and collaboration.
The Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Simeon Bamire also recognised the value of the program.
He said, “The OAU STARS Mentorship Program aligns perfectly with our commitment to academic excellence and societal relevance,” he said. “It’s equipping students to address real-world issues and preparing them to become future leaders and innovators.”
The OAU STARS Mentorship Program isn’t just about theory – it’s about creating tangible, actionable change. The program has two main objectives: to foster research that provides real-world solutions and to equip students with the leadership and entrepreneurial skills needed to turn their findings into reality.
The Former Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Michael Faborode, who was present at the Demo Day of the mentorship program commended the program’s potential to set a new standard in Nigerian higher education, “This is exactly the kind of program Nigeria’s universities need. It’s blending academic rigour with real-world applications, showing our students how they can use their research to change the world.”
Folajomi Adegbulugbe, CEO of The Hive Incubator and a key architect of the program, highlighted the importance of mentorship in fostering student creativity. “The students have been nothing short of inspiring, he said. It’s a powerful reminder that when we empower young people with the right tools and guidance, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.”
Behind every successful program is a team of dedicated individuals working tirelessly to make it happen. Cosmo and Uni Services played an essential role in coordinating projects, ensuring everything ran smoothly throughout the year. The university also provided invaluable mentorship, with faculty members like Mr O.S. Adewinle, Professor(Mrs) G.O. Ogunlusi, and Professor G.A. Aderounmu lending their expertise to the program. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of Prof. A.O. Adegbulugbe’s team, which included coordinators like Folajomi Adegbulugbe, Moyinoluwa Adegbulugbe, and Yemisi Adeniyi.
With its success in its first year, the OAU STARS Mentorship Program has set a new benchmark for higher education in Nigeria. By blending rigorous academic research with practical solutions, the program is creating a model that other universities across the country can adopt to enhance the educational experience and better equip students to contribute meaningfully to society.
Winners of the OAU Stars Mentorship Program;
Winner: TEAM A – [Mentor – Prof. E. F. Aransiola], Taiwo Olufemi Ojo (Administration), Adedayo Thomas Ayorinde (Technology), Kolade Adepeju Ademilola (Basic Medical Sciences), Iyanuoluwa Esther Ajibade (Agriculture), Motunrayo Abigael Ogunjemilusi (Technology).
First Runner-Up: TEAM 3 – [Mentor – Dr. V. Tanimonure], Yusuf Najat Abiodun (Administration), Olorunbunmi Magret Olayinka (Science), Owolola Samson Adebayo (Agriculture), Adewumi Aishat Olaide (Science), Ogungbe Oluwafunbi Ayomide (Basic Medical Sciences).
Second Runner-Up: TEAM B – [Mentor – Dr. (Mrs.) A. A. Abuloye], Mayowa Olawale Ogunsola (Administration), Adedayo Oreoluwa Adewole (Social Sciences), Ayoyemi Emmanuel Oluwatayo (Social Sciences), Ayodele Omoronike Adewale.
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