University of Ibadan Best Graduating Student Explains Missing Induction for National Food Summit
Boluwatife Oluwasakin, a recent graduate of Food Technology at the University of Ibadan, has publicly addressed his absence from his professional induction ceremony, despite achieving the distinction of being the best graduating student in his department. In a detailed LinkedIn post that has garnered significant online attention, Oluwasakin revealed that he was in Abuja participating in the Nigerian Alternative Protein Summit, an event he had dedicated months to organising.
Why the Top Student Was Absent from His Induction
The sixth induction ceremony for Food Technology graduates, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), took place on February 26, 2026. While his classmates were being formally inducted, Oluwasakin was engaged in summit activities in Abuja. He emphasised that his absence was not due to a lack of care or a deliberate choice to skip the event, but rather a commitment to a larger cause in food innovation.
Oluwasakin stated, "On February 26, 2026, my classmates were inducted into the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology as graduate members. I wasn't there. Not because I didn't care or chose not to be, but because that same day, I was in Abuja, standing in the middle of something I had spent months helping to build."
A Week of Intense Academic and Industry Engagements
The period surrounding the induction was described by Oluwasakin as one of the most intense weeks of his undergraduate journey. As President of the University of Ibadan Alt Protein Project (UIAPP), his schedule was packed with meetings, academic discussions, and industry engagements focused on the future of food technology.
He outlined his activities for that week:
- Sunday: Met with Alex Mayers, Managing Director of The Good Food Institute Europe, to discuss alternative proteins in Nigeria and UIAPP's research.
- Monday: Visited university officials, including the Vice Chancellor and department heads, with a delegation including Professor Kolawole Falade.
- Tuesday: Traveled to Ogbomosho to speak at the LAUTECH NAFSTS chapter Food Week Symposium, representing both UIAPP and his role as President of NAFSTS UI.
- Wednesday: Traveled to Abuja with Professor K. O. Falade.
- Thursday and Friday: Participated in the Nigerian Alternative Protein Summit, where he received felicitations from Professor Joseph Abu, a former NIFST president, during the induction he missed.
- Saturday: Returned to Ibadan.
Oluwasakin reflected on this experience, noting, "This is what the final stretch of a Food Technology degree looks like when you choose to show up, not just for yourself, but for something larger than you."
Achievements and Recognition
Despite missing the induction, Oluwasakin graduated as the Best Graduating Male Student in the Food Technology department at the University of Ibadan. His involvement in the summit and related programmes highlights his dedication to advancing food science and innovation in Nigeria. The story has resonated widely, shedding light on the sacrifices and commitments made by students who balance academic excellence with broader industry contributions.
