My Learning Buddy wins UMCAA entrepreneurship grant, receives N500,000 grant

‘Leye Abiola

The winning trio receiving their cheque

The trio of Muhammadulfatiu Adepeju, Aisha Animashaun and Emmanuel Awosika have emerged the winners of the UNILAG Mass Communication Alumni Association (UMCAA) entrepreneurship grant, winning a grant of N500,000.

The entrepreneurship competition is an alumni initiative aimed at developing the entrepreneurial mindset of undergraduate students of the department in a bid to address the increasing nationwide youth unemployment and general economic decline.

The competition started with a call for submission of video pitches in July from contestants with 13 teams making it to the final round where they pitched before the panel of judges at the Department’s Centre of Excellence chaired by Mr. Jimi Awosika alongside other members of the panel including Mrs. Mope Alli, Mrs. Bukky Bandele, Mr. Odion Aleobua and Mr. Samuel Ejiwunmi.

According to the panel, the contestants were judged based on the economic impact of their business plan, financial analysis, group synergy and attitude, and their ability to meet stipulated deadlines.

At the end of the competition, My Learning Buddy (MLB) emerged as the winner of the entrepreneurial grant.

Speaking on the inspiration behind My Learning Buddy, the team lead, Muhammadulfatiu Adepeju said, “I stumbled upon the idea of creating a personalised tech-driven multimedia learning solution after seeing the frustration of my colleagues in trying to understand communication phenomena, theories and trends.”

This frustration, he continued, has led many students to mindlessly memorise pages of course notes and materials only for the sake of examinations. “It was out of the fear that such practices could undermine students’ competence and relevance in the communications industry that I started a crude application of my idea using third-party apps.”

He described MLB as a tech-facilitated paid platform providing learning solutions through multimedia options such as digital flashcards, mnemonics and pictorial illustrations.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe commended the alumni for the initiative. He added that it was the high point of his administration to produce an innovative crop of students that would provide high value to the present economy.

Demonstrating the university’s support towards entrepreneurial development, Ogundipe said, “the University of Lagos will register companies for the deserved entrepreneurs, provide them mentors to guide them to succeed. And there is a provision for 2 million naira interest-free start-up loan for each set of group of entrepreneur as the Bank of Industry has given over 20 million naira for that purpose.”,

Also speaking at the event, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the governing council, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Chief Lawson Omokhodion said that the alumni body was committed to empowering undergraduates in a big way.

The winning trio was awarded a cheque of N500,000 grant to commence their business plan as other contestants were awarded certificates of participation.

Appreciating the alumni for their kind gesture, the team said the grant would help develop their content into a usable app for students across the country. Muhammadulfatiu added that the platform would start with students of mass communication and gradually move to other disciplines.

The event had in attendance, Mr. Femi Falana SAN, Chief Lawson Omokhodion, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Ambrose Alli University, Prof. Adepoju Tejumaiye, Head of Department, Mass Communication UNILAG, Mr. Vincent Oyo, President UMCAA, lecturers and students of the department.