In a vibrant collision of ideas and knowledge sharing, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) continued its International Week 2025 with a fireside chat featured two titans of industry: Yvonne Ike, Managing Director and Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at Bank of America, and Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, co-founder of Andela and Flutterwave, and current General Partner at Future Africa.
Held on Monday, October 13, at MADHouse, UNILAG, the event aptly titled “Fireside Chat with Yvonne Ike and Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, OON”, felt more like a masterclass in building the future. It drew a buzzing crowd of student innovators, techpreneurs, and dreamers eager to decode the secrets of tech, entrepreneurship, funding and investment banking.
Lessons from the Fireside
With warmth and candour, the speakers peeled back the layers of start-up success. They emphasized that the journey begins with choosing the right people – your “friends” – to build with. “The university is the best place to learn, fail, and learn again,” Aboyeji noted, urging students to treat the UNILAG campus as a launchpad, not just a classroom.
The duo challenged students to think beyond profit – making and consider purpose, self-reflecting: “How does this idea make humanity better?” Miss Ike stressed that character is highly important in the world of investment. Mr. Aboyeji pointed out a few factors that investors look for the following during pitches:
- One’s conviction in one’s business or service
- Thorough research and preparation
- A hunger to explore new frontiers
- Operation and systems – Aboyeji suggested starting with an advert to showcase storytelling and resourcefulness
- Financial viability – translating one’s idea into how it can make money.
On funding, the advice was from the duo was clear: solve real problems, find real customers, and funding will come. See entrepreneurship as a service.
The conversation also ventured into the realm of research. The speakers called for a shift in academia: from theory to impact. “Until our campuses become centres for solving problems, Nigeria will not develop,” Aboyeji declared. They advocated for stronger ties between universities and industries, to turn research into real-world solutions.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Afolabi Lesi, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the speakers for taking out time to pass down the wholesome nuggets and advice to the students. He likened the gathering to ancient fireside storytelling – where elders passed down wisdom to the next generation.
About the UNILAG International Week
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) International Week is a flagship platform for dialogue, networking and strategic engagement with academic institutions, industry partners, policymakers and wider public.
The UNILAG International Week 2025, the 5th since the event was institutionalised, has the theme: Equitable Partnerships and the Future of AI in Africa. The five-day programme will serve as a convergence of diverse expertise to produce aactionable outcomes such as policy recommendations, academic partnerships and investment linkages that strengthen Africa’s digital future.
Author: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Photographs: Ayo Oloyede
