ILARO – Students in higher education have been strongly advised to remain abreast of evolving job market demands, a key message delivered at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro (FPI) Students’ Union Government (SUG) Annual Symposium and Debate Competition. The event, a highlight of the 2025 SUG Week, took place at the Raheem Oloyo Conference Hall under the theme “Career Resilience: Navigating the Future of Work.”
Dr. Olumide Tijani, Chief Executive of Nova Care Staffing and Recruitment Ltd. based in Sheffield, UK, served as a guest speaker, addressing the critical topic of “Strategies for Acquiring New Skills and Adapting to Changing Job Requirements.”
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Comrade Kamorudeen Adegbokiki, Dr. Tijani emphasised that deferring skill acquisition until after graduation is no longer a viable strategy, urging students to proactively embrace continuous learning.
Dr. Tijani underscored the necessity for young learners to evolve alongside technological advancements. He advocated for lifelong learning, stressing the importance of adapting to shifting job requirements, building diverse skill portfolios, and actively seeking internships and apprenticeships.
A significant moment of the symposium was the debate competition, which saw Okwuchi Joy emerge as the overall winner. Joy was awarded a laptop for her compelling arguments on the topic: “Is Career Resilience More Important Than Relying on Innate Talent for Career Success?” The second-place winner received a cash prize of ₦50,000, while other participants were also recognised with cash awards, all presented in the name of Dr. Olumide Tijani.
In recognition of his commitment to student empowerment, the FPI student leadership presented an Honorary Award to Dr. Tijani. This award acknowledges his dedication to sharing expertise and passion to support student learning and development.
The event saw a strong turnout from the student body, including the Students’ Union Executives led by the President, Honourable members of the Students’ Representatives Council led by the Rt. Hon. Elizabeth Bamgboye, Faculty Presidents, and various other student leaders.
