The 2025 Student Researchers’ Conference (SRC), orchestrated by the Young Researchers’ Hub (YRH-OAU), unfolded in a blaze of intellectual brilliance on Saturday, June 21st, 2025, as the conference, which was the second edition, was not just an event but a clarion call to the future, a grand showpiece of youthful curiosity, academic rigor, and real-world ambition.

Held at the BOOC, the SRC drew an eclectic assembly of undergraduate trailblazers and seasoned academics, all bound by a singular mission: to bridge the chasm between research and impact. The atmosphere electrifying with possibility as voices from diverse fields—science, technology, healthcare, and beyond—converged to ignite a movement of innovation that promises to ripple far beyond the University’s storied walls.

The conference kicked off with a keynote address by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation & Development, Professor Akanni Akinyemi. His words were a torch thrust into the hands of the young researchers: “Step beyond the confines of academia. Be architects of solutions, builders of a world renewed by evidence and ingenuity.” His charge was a spark, igniting a fire of purpose that would burn through every session, every conversation.

The conference’s heartbeat thereafter quickened with a panel discussion that was nothing short of astonishing. Here, intellectuals—Dr. Adegbola Jonathan, a lecturer steeped in pharmaceutical chemistry; Bunmi Akinremi, a machine learning maestro; Pharmacist Adebayo Israel, an entrepreneur; and Pharmacist Jeremiah Omojuyigbe, a fast rising researcher —clashed and collaborated. They dissected the alchemy of turning abstract ideas into concrete change, offering a roadmap for students to follow. “This was our chance to light a path for those who will inherit tomorrow,” Pharm. Adebayo mused, his words echoing the panel’s collective resolve.

The SRC was no mere talking shop—it was a crucible of transformation. Breakout workshops, led by facilitators as passionate as they were proficient, armed attendees with tools to conquer the research frontier: Leveraging AI in Research Writing – Pharm. Jeremiah Omojuyigbe unveiled the magic of generative technology, turning words into weapons of precision. Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis – Pharm. Owolade Adedoyin demystified the art of synthesizing knowledge, laying bare its power to shape discourse. Balancing Academics and Leadership – Olakulehin Adebusuyi offered a masterclass in juggling the demands of scholarship and influence. Winning Undergraduate Grants – Pharm. Melody Okereke, with the poise of a seasoned guide, revealed the secrets to unlocking funding for bold ideas. These sessions were more than lessons; they were rites of passage, equipping students to wield their intellect with purpose and flair.

The top three orators and the finest poster designer were crowned with certificates, their triumphs affirming that OAU is a fertile ground for genius. “This wasn’t just recognition—it was validation of our dreams,” one winner beamed, their voice a chorus for every participant who dared to present.

The unveiling of the 2025 Book of Abstracts was a moment of quiet triumph, a monument to the ingenuity of young minds across disciplines and institutions. This tome, brimming with groundbreaking undergraduate work, is now a beacon for the curious and the committed.

The SRC 2025 was not an endpoint but a beginning—a clarion call that OAU is sculpting not just researchers, but revolutionaries. And indeed, OAU is a crucible where raw talent is forged into leadership, where ideas are not just born but unleashed.