BIV Summit 2026
Where Innovation Meets Investment — Nigeria's Premier University Innovation Showcase
A Message from the
President/Vice-Chancellor
Prof. Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, President/Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University, shares his vision for the BIV Inaugural Innovation Summit 2026 — and what it means for the future of research, entrepreneurship, and impact at Babcock.
Prof. Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole
President/Vice-Chancellor, Babcock University
BIV Inaugural Innovation Summit 2026
April 21–22, 2026 · Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo
“Babcock University is not just a place of learning — it is a launchpad for the next generation of African innovators.”
Summit Highlights
One day packed with innovation showcases, investor pitches, workshops, and networking
Africa's Premier University
Innovation Gathering
The BIV Inaugural Innovation Summit 2026 is a landmark two-day event bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, and policymakers to celebrate and accelerate innovation emerging from Babcock University.
Day 1 features the Official Launch of Babcock Innovation & Ventures (BIV) — a landmark ceremony marking the formal establishment of Babcock's innovation and startup ecosystem, followed by MOU signings with industry partners. Day 2 continues with masterclasses, the BIV Founding Cohort Venture Showcase, induction of the founding cohort, and a grand gala dinner.
Dates
April 21–22, 2026
Time
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Venue
600-Seater Auditorium, Babcock University
Entry
Free — Strictly By Invitation Only
₦50M+ Pilot Fund (Minimum)
Supporting breakthrough ventures
Something for Everyone
Whether you're a student, researcher, dean, investor or industry leader — the BIV Summit 2026 is built to deliver real value for your role.
Launch Your Innovation Journey
- Pitch live to investors & industry judges
- Access ₦50M+ Pilot Fund opportunities (minimum)
- Get mentored by top industry leaders
- Network with 600+ innovators & peers
- Discover BIV accelerator pathways
Showcase Academic Excellence
- Represent your school on a flagship stage
- Build cross-disciplinary collaborations
- Connect research outputs to industry needs
- Meet investors seeking university IP
- Engage with policy and innovation leaders
Discover High-Potential Deals
- Review 30+ curated innovation pitches
- Access exclusive deal-flow from Babcock
- Meet founders early — pre-commercial stage
- Participate in structured matchmaking sessions
- Shape the next generation of African ventures
Find Talent & Partnerships
- Post real challenges to 10,000+ students
- Scout top graduating engineering & tech talent
- Co-develop solutions with university researchers
- Benchmark against emerging innovations
- Join the BIV industry advisory network
Give Back & Stay Connected
- Mentor the next wave of Babcock innovators
- Invest in startup pitches from your alma mater
- Reconnect with faculty & former classmates
- Join the BIV Alumni Innovation Circle
- Celebrate Babcock's rising global impact
Shape Innovation Policy
- Engage with university-led innovation ecosystems
- Co-create policy frameworks for tech growth
- Identify projects ready for public-sector support
- Connect research to national development goals
- Participate in roundtable policy discussions
Meet the Voices of BIV Summit 2026
Over 20 speakers across one day — from the Vice-Chancellor and industry titans to student innovators and BIV Board members.
Prof. Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole
President/Vice-Chancellor, Babcock University
"Opening Keynote: Positioning Babcock University as Nigeria's Premier Innovation Launchpad"
Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN
Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science & Technology, Federal Republic of Nigeria
"National Innovation Agenda: Empowering Youth, Strengthening Local Capacity & Building Nigeria's Tech Ecosystem"
Nicky Verd
Digital Futurist · CEO, Thinkers360
"Redefining Relevance: How Humans Contribute Unique Value in an AI-Driven World"
Abdullah AlSalmani
Co-Founder & CEO, SpacePoint · UAE EdTech
"From Al Ain to Orbit: Making Satellite Development Accessible for the Next Generation"
Arvind Ravishunkar
Industry Tech Accelerator, BIV · Founder/CEO, Lenz AI Innovation Studio · Silicon Valley
"Agentic AI & the Next Wave of Enterprise Acceleration: Lessons from Silicon Valley"
Prof. OPA Peter Obadare
Founder/CVO, Digital Encode Limited · Nigeria's First Prof. of Practice in Cybersecurity
"Digital Trust & Cybersecurity in Africa: Building Resilient Innovation Ecosystems for the Next Decade"
Nissi Madu
Managing Partner, Co-creation Hub (CcHUB)
"Building Africa's EdTech Future: Co-creation Hub's Approach to Education Innovation at Scale"
Bekere Amassoma
Oracle Academy Program Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa · Oracle
"Building AI-Ready Talent: From Curriculum to Real-World Skills — Scaling Digital Literacy Across Africa"
Engr. Charles Nnaji
AI Enterprise Architect · MD, Visionspec Nigeria
"Building AI-Ready Enterprises: Lessons from the Frontlines of Digital Transformation in Africa"
Folawemi Ololade Umunna
Co-Founder & Project Director, Climate and Ecological Protection Initiative (CEPI)
"Climate Action & Renewable Energy: Driving Sustainable Futures Through Policy, Innovation, and Resilience"
Onamade Okikioluwa Oluwakorede
Cloud Infrastructure Engineer · AI Engineering Team, ZEISS · Munich, Germany
"Cloud Infrastructure for AI at Scale: Building Secure, Production-Ready AI Systems Across Africa and Europe"
Two Days, Packed with Purpose
April 21–22, 2026 · 600-Seater Auditorium, Babcock University
Day 1 — AI Awareness & Enterprise Innovation Day
Keynotes · Panel Sessions · Breakout Labs · Executive Leadership Forum
Registration
Processional
Anthems
Opening
Presidential Address
Special Policy Address
Strategic Keynote 1
Tea Break
Strategic Keynote 2
Panel Session 1
Institutional Presentation
Grand Ceremony
Partnering & Signing
Lunch & Showcase
Breakout Labs
Executive Leadership Forum
Day 1 Close
Industry Mixer
Backed by Industry Leaders
The BIV Summit 2026 is proudly supported by global technology companies, financial institutions, and forward-thinking organisations committed to African innovation.
Babcock University
Host Institution
BU-PCF
Purposeful Christian Formation
Technology Partner
Amazon Web Services
Cloud Infrastructure Partner
Private Capital Fund
Founding Investment Partner
Andela
Flutterwave
MTN Nigeria
Access Bank
Visionspec Nigeria
NITDA
Become a Summit Sponsor
Gain visibility before 600+ innovators, investors and industry leaders. Position your brand at Africa's most anticipated university innovation summit.
Limited sponsorship slots available — early commitments receive premium placement.
Registration is Now Closed
The registration window for the BIV Inaugural Innovation Summit 2026 has officially closed. All 600 confirmed guest slots have been filled.
If you have already registered and are awaiting your access pass, please check your email inbox for a confirmation from the BIV team.
By Invitation Only
Attendance at BIV Summit 2026 is strictly by invitation. Submitting this form does not guarantee a seat. Only officially invited guests will receive a confirmation and access pass.
Confirmed Guests
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The Inaugural Summit is Almost Here
Registration is now closed — all 600 guest slots are confirmed. If you're an invited guest, watch your inbox for your official access pass from the BIV team.