OAU Marks 65th Anniversary with Foundation Laying for Tinubu International Youth Empowerment Centre; Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, marked its 65th anniversary with the foundation-laying ceremony of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Centre for Youth Empowerment and Intercultural Dialogue (PBAT-ICYEID) on Saturday, 17 October 2026.
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, performed the ceremony on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The event attracted university officials, alumni, students, traditional rulers, members of the diplomatic community and other invited guests.
Facilities Planned for the OAU International Youth Centre
OAU Vice-Chancellor, Professor A. S. Bamire, outlined the facilities planned for the centre. These include:
- Innovation hubs
- Digital skills laboratories
- An auditorium for intercultural dialogue
- Start-up incubation spaces
- Residential facilities for international exchange fellows
The centre is designed to promote skills development, entrepreneurship, research collaboration and cultural exchange among young people from Nigeria and other countries.
Government and University Leaders Support the Initiative
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat congratulated OAU on its 65th anniversary and stressed the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and opportunities needed to drive innovation and secure employment.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Rt Hon. Rafiu Adejare Bello, described the project as an intervention aimed at addressing youth unemployment and social exclusion. He also pledged the Governing Council’s support for its completion.
Professor Bamire reaffirmed the university’s commitment to building partnerships and implementing skills-development programmes, research initiatives and innovation activities to ensure the centre’s long-term sustainability.
How the OAU Youth Empowerment Centre Initiative Began
The Chairman of the 65th Anniversary Local Organising Committee, Professor G. A. Aderonmu, disclosed that discussions about establishing the centre began in 2023.
According to him, the initiative emerged from the university’s efforts to address youth unemployment, restiveness and the need to strengthen intercultural understanding.
The proposed centre is expected to provide a platform for young people to develop practical skills, explore entrepreneurial opportunities, collaborate on research and engage in cultural exchanges across national boundaries.
Foundation-Laying Ceremony Concludes with Prayers
The ceremony concluded with the symbolic turning of the sod by Dr Hamzat alongside university leaders, marking a key step in the establishment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Centre for Youth Empowerment and Intercultural Dialogue.
Christian, Muslim and traditional leaders offered prayers for the successful completion of the project.
