Yesterday, I had the incredible honor of serving as a judge at the maiden edition of the Innovate@Wigwe program, an entrepreneurial challenge designed to showcase and support the innovative spirit of Wigwe University students.

What I witnessed was nothing short of inspiring.

First-year students, just months into their academic journey, stood confidently before a panel to pitch impact-driven solutions to real-world problems. Their ideas were bold, thoughtful, and some deeply aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (hashtag#SDGs). These young innovators are already thinking beyond the classroom about local impact, global relevance, and long-term sustainability.

From tackling environmental challenges to addressing social and economic issues, their solutions reflected a maturity and awareness that many only develop years after graduation, myself inclusive. It’s clear: these students are not being trained to simply seek jobs they are being nurtured to solve problems and create opportunities.

Wigwe University is living its mission, not just stating it. The leadership and management deserve immense credit for cultivating a space where transformation begins from day one.

Sessions like this give me real hope for the future of hashtag#Nigeria and hashtag#Africa. If this is what the first cohort looks like, I can only imagine the ripple effect in the years to come.

To Sir (Dr) Leesi Gborogbosi ● DBA, MSc, MBA, CMC, FCA, FIMC, MCIPS and everyone at Wigwe University: thank you for the invitation and more importantly, thank you for planting the seeds of change.

This is a review by:

Tombari (Aadum) Emeka-Duruzor