The annual Techie. Entrepreneurial. Nigerian. Talented. (TENT) gathering was hosted by Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo –State. The 3 day event from Tuesday 18th –Thursday 20thNovember, 2014 was attended by about 320 students from 6 tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The theme for TENT 2014 was “See the Need, Take the Lead” with the aim of jump-starting the culture of ICT innovation amongst participants.

The TENT gathering featured a wide-range of entrepreneurs, tech and IT experts who delivered the opening and closing keynote addresses as well as thetechie and entrepreneurial sessions. The opening keynote speakers at the #TENT2014 event were Gbenga Sesan (Executive Director, PIN), Bishop Faith Emmanuel Benson-Idahosa (President, Benson Idahosa University) and Sola Amusan (Microsoft’s Citizenship manager). Dr. Chris Uwaje (Founder/Chief Software Architect and CEO of Mobile Software Solutions) delivered the closing keynote.

Day 1 of the event also featured a moderated panel of 3 young technopreneurs who discussed the major ingredients of building a successful brand in the Nigerian environment. These were Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (Co-founder, Andela Institute), Nkechi Okwuone (Open data manager, Edo State and Founder, Sabi hub) and John Obidi (Founder, ObidiSocial.com). Day 2 of the event was anchored by techie, entrepreneurial and innovation hub speakers: Osita Nwoye (Founder, Fonebase Labs), Oluseun Onigbinde (Co-founder, Budgit), Deji Aladejebi (Founder, DabarObjects Solutions), Esther Okoye (CEO, Distronet International), Femi Bayode (Freelance mobilizer), Ommo Clark (Founder, Ibez Technologies), Olufunbi Falayi (Co-founder, Passion Incubator) and Dr. Paschal Iwuh (Co-founder, The African Network). Participants were encouraged to be innovative and develop tech and business ideas that can change the world starting from their immediate environment. Speakers also urged them to begin taking the lead in the availing business opportunities in Nigeria.

As part of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria’s mission to help young people discover opportunities, Adebola Agbaje (Project Manager, TENT/DigitalJobs) enlightened participants about the need to learn financial independence through #DigitalJobs. In addition, the final day showcased many young ICT talents amongst the participants. 12 students from the Obafemi Awolowo University and a student group of 3 individuals from Benson Idahosa University pitched demos of tech business ideas they are currently working on. Critical evaluation and feedback were given by the panel of mentors and tech experts present at the event.

Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, emerged winners of the Clash of The Campuses competition winning the Taiwo Bankole Ogunyemi Prize and a cash prize of N120,000. First and Second runners-up were Nnamdi Azikwe University and University of Benin who were also presented with awards and cash prizes of N70,000 and N50,000 respectively.

According to PIN Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan. “Our role is to help students make the best of their time in school so that they graduate with tech businesses or business plans that can attract investors. Our partners and event sponsors make this happen, and we are grateful for their continued support,” he added. TENT 2014 was supported by NITDA and hosted by Benson Idahosa University.

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If you would like more information about this topic or further project description on TENT; please visit www.pinigeria.org/tent. For more information please coRemove featured imagentact: ‘Debola Agbaje, Project Manger, TENT/DigitalJobs + 234 1 342 62 45, or e-mail info@pinigeria.org.