The University of Ibadan SME Fair begins 7th–8th of November, 2024
By Naomisophyblog
Preparations are in top gear by the University of Ibadan to host its yearly SME Fair. Towards this end, the university is inviting staff, students, and members of the public to its 2024 Small and Medium Enterprises SMES fair, kicking off tomorrow at the University International Conference Centre, Second Gate.
The SME fair, which is scheduled for two days, Thursday, November 7th and November 8th, will have over fifty exhibitors and students and entrepreneurs who will be on the ground to display their goods, services, and innovations to members of the public. The event, themed “Moving the SME Global Community Forward through Technology, Innovation, and Creativity,”
Speaking on the importance of the fair, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research, Innovations, and Strategic Partnership, Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose (SAN), whose office is handling the fair, said the fair is a melting pot for entrepreneurs, students, and members of the public to meet with one another, harness ideas, network, and sell their goods and services.
She added that participants and exhibitors will have an enabling environment to interact with one another share their ideas, get to know latest technological innovations with a bid to growing their businesses , showcase their talents , creativity and meet with partners that they can work together to drive their businesses to greater heights.
Also, there will be opportunities for panel discussions, workshops, and inter-university competitions, among other incentives.
Prof. Bamgbose SAN, while enumerating the importance of the SMES to national development, said the SMES are the drivers of the economy, and their roles on national development cannot be overemphasized.
“Small industries are the ones that grow up to become big industries tomorrow. Small industries serve and provide for the big industries, and therefore they are very important to the development of the country. If you know Dangote, you can as well ask how he started, and other big companies you see today were small companies. Therefore, it’s important to promote our SMES and give them the enabling environment to thrive and continue to strive. We at the University of Ibadan will continue to provide the platform for the gown to meet with the gown, and we are using this medium to invite everyone to come for the fair starting tomorrow till Friday. There is a lot to see and a lot to benefit when you come around.”.
The SME Fair is supported by Providus Bank, Bank of Industry, CEO Africa, and Uchekinzie Nigeria Limited.
