— Federal Polytechnic Ayede is producing not just diploma holders, but entrepreneurs-in-training.- Rector
– Lauds TETFUND for its Funding Support for Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition learning in FEDPA
(Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede)
By Biola Lawal
Ayede (FLOWERBUDNEWS): A practical predentation Day introduced by the Authorities of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede to boost entrepreneurship initiatives among its students has began paying off with the students.developing and showcasing Products of high commercial values.
FLOWERBUDNEWS learnt that the Polytechnic introduced the Group-Based Innovation hub for Market-Driven Learning among the students.
According to the Polytechnic rule, the practical session, contributes 60% of the course assessment and plays a vital role in the partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the National Diploma (ND).
”It is designed to evaluate students’ ability to apply theoretical learning to real-life challenges in science, agriculture, and enterprise development,” the Rector, Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed stated.
Students were grouped for effective collaboration: Agricultural Technology students formed four groups, each responsible for developing a product relevant to their discipline, while SLT students were grouped into five teams, each assigned a practical science-based innovation task.
A report on the innovation event made available to FLOWERBUDNEWS states:
The Multipurpose Hannah Hall of Federal Polytechnic Ayede came alive with energy and intellectual curiosity during the 2024/2025 Practical Presentation Day for EED 216 – Entrepreneurship Development.
Organised by the Department of Business Administration and Management, under the School of Management Sciences, the event showcased the ingenuity, skill, and entrepreneurial mindset of students from the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) and the Department of Agricultural Technology and Extension.
This practical session, which contributes 60% of the course assessment, plays a vital role in the partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the National Diploma (ND).
Under the Group-Based Innovation for Market-Driven Learning, Students were grouped for effective collaboration: Agricultural Technology students formed four groups, each responsible for developing a product relevant to their discipline, while SLT students were grouped into five teams, each assigned a practical science-based innovation task.
What followed was a brilliant exhibition of product development, branding, and marketing strategy.
The venue was transformed into a professional marketplace, where each group showcased prototypes with impressive packaging and clearly defined slogans.
It was evident that students had grasped the essence of entrepreneurship: problem-solving, creativity, and presentation.
Sample Products and Market Comparison
Below are some noteworthy innovations and how they compare with similar established commercial products:
Golden Chinchin – “Energy in Every Crunch”
Compared to leading snack brands such as Minimie Chinchin and McVities’ Digestive Biscuits, the students’ version stood out for its use of locally sourced ingredients, crispiness, and nutritional value. With improved shelf-life technology and packaging, it could compete effectively in the snacks market.
Eco Peanut – “Feeding the Future Naturally”
A healthier alternative to standard groundnut snacks such as Kuli-Kuli or factory-packed salted peanuts. Eco Peanut’s branding focused on sustainability and organic production, appealing to the rising health-conscious demographic.
Vital Bites – “A Delight to Cheeks”
A creative, tasty bite-sized snack tailored to local preferences. Its flavour and texture rivalled those of similar products from known brands like Beloxxi or Chewitt, with potential to scale in both rural and urban markets.
Unique Disinfectant – “Total Protection, Every Time”
With a scent and sanitising effect comparable to branded disinfectants such as Dettol and Savlon, this product proved to be both effective and affordable. It also demonstrated good packaging, ease of use, and safe chemical formulation.
Blue Bliss Liquid Soap – “Gentle on Hands, Hard on Germs”
In terms of fragrance, foaming action, and skin friendliness, this product competed favourably with popular brands like Morning Fresh or Mama Lemon. Its eco-friendly bottle and value-for-money pricing were additional selling points.
These products were not mere academic exercises. Many displayed commercial potential and could be scaled up for real market penetration with modest funding and business development support.
An Outstanding Case of Resilience: SLT Group Five:
A truly inspiring moment was delivered by Group Five of the SLT department. Just minutes before their scheduled presentation, the team discovered that their earlier-prepared materials had spoiled due to poor preservation. Instead of giving excuses, they immediately sourced fresh materials and restarted production under intense time pressure.
Through collaboration, resilience, and sharp decision-making, they managed to deliver their product on time, drawing praise from both assessors and peers. Their determination exemplified the core values of entrepreneurship: adaptability, perseverance, and outcome-focused execution.
FLOWERBUDNEWS Panel of Assessors and Evaluation Criteria
The presentation was assessed by a panel of professionals and academic staff, including:
Dr Odelade – HOD, SLT, Mr Tijani Saheed Abiodun – HOD, Business Administration and Management (Host Department), Mr Akande – Department of Agricultural Technology, Mr Shola – Registry Department, Mr Taliat – Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering and Mr Ibraheem – Works and Maintenance Department
Using a standardized evaluation score sheet, assessors carefully judged each group based on six key performance indicators (KPIs):
Innovation, Product Quality, Presentation Skills, Teamwork, Branding Strategy, Market Feasibility
Their collective verdict confirmed that many of the student products rivalled commercial alternatives, demonstrating that Federal Polytechnic Ayede is producing not just diploma holders, but entrepreneurs-in-training.
FLOWERBUDNEWS reports that the event concluded with light refreshments, group photography, and networking among faculty, assessors, and students. It was a celebration of excellence, innovation, and practical learning.
Commenting on the successful event, the Rector, Dr. AbdulHameed said; ”more than an academic milestone, the 2024/2025 EED 216 Practical Presentation Day showcased what is possible when theory meets creativity, and innovation is nurtured with dexterity.
”With further support, mentorship, and incubation, many of the students’ products could go beyond the Polytechnic and make a real impact in local and regional markets,’: the Rector noted.
The participants commended the Polytechnic management, saying; : ”Heartfelt Appreciation from Us All. We just want to say a big thank you to Dr Odelade of the SLT Department. Despite your tight schedule, sir, you still showed up—physically present and fully engaged.
They observed:
You didn’t just come to mark attendance; you took it upon yourself to observe the entire event and even gave us professional feedback on some of our products. That meant so much to us, and we truly appreciate your dedication and scientific insight. Thank you, sir!
To our ever-supportive HOD, Mr Tijani Saheed Abiodun, thank you isn’t even enough. You went above and beyond for us—not only coordinating the event but personally assessing every group member one by one. Sir, your commitment, humility, and leadership gave us so much confidence. We’re genuinely honoured to have you in our corner.
A big shout-out also goes to Mr Oladejo of the Public Relations Unit for pulling strings and going the extra mile to invite a professional nutritionist to help assess the quality of the confectioneries made by the students. That effort added so much value to our experience—thank you for caring!
We’re also grateful to the HOD of Agricultural Technology and Extension. Your thoughtful advice on how to ensure full student participation in each group was spot-on. Madam, your insight is deeply appreciated, ma.
To Mr Akande of Agricultural Extension—thank you for being our special guest and for the kind words and observations you shared. Your comments on product quality gave the students encouragement and a fresh sense of purpose. Thank you, sir, for honouring us.
Our appreciation wouldn’t be complete without recognising Mr Shola from the Registry Department, Mr Adiatu of the FLO Electrical/Electronic Department, and especially Mr Ibrahim of the Works Department who stood by us throughout—from start to finish. Your presence and support did not go unnoticed.
A very big thank-you also goes to our wonderful colleagues who worked behind the scenes to make this event successful. Your cooperation, encouragement, and teamwork were incredible—thank you for standing strong with us.
And to our amazing students from both the SLT and Agricultural Technology Departments—we are so proud of you! You gave your time, your energy, and even your personal money just to make this presentation a success. Your creativity, resilience, and dedication were truly inspiring. You made us believe again in the power of teamwork and the future of innovation. You didn’t just meet expectations—you exceeded them. Well done!
And finally, to the leadership of our great institution, we say a massive thank you to the school management led by our able and visionary Rector, Dr Taofeek Hameed.
Thank you for giving us the platform to express ourselves and to grow in innovation and confidence. We are proud of what we’ve done, and even more proud to be doing it under your administration.
With the kind of innovation, passion, and dexterity we saw throughout the programme, we can boldly say that the entrepreneurial spark in our students has been ignited—and it’s only getting brighter, they said.
If there’s one major takeaway from the whole event, it’s this: until we give proper attention to sustainable processes, the gap between good policy and effective execution may always remain a dream. But with what we’ve seen here today, there’s hope—and it starts with us. FLOWERBUDNEWS
