Lufthansa Airlines in collaboration with the University of Lagos Entrepreneurship & Skills Development Centre (ESDC) organised the first ever Design Thinking Training program in Nigeria. Design Thinking Experts (Senior Coaches) from Germany and other parts of the world were on ground for this life changing training which held from the 20th - 26th October, 2017 at the Entrepreneurial and Skills Development Centre (ESDC), University of Lagos Campus.

The Design Thinking Training comprised of two major events: Train the Trainer Training (TTT) and Design Thinking Impact week (Training the students). The TTT was a 2-day (20th -21st October, 2017) intensive workshops in which lecturers drawn from various faculties were trained by a group of German-based Design Thinking Experts. The Impact week was a 4-day (23rd – 26th October, 2017) intensive training workshop involving about 156 students and 50 Senior and Junior Design Thinking coaches. The highlight of the Impact Week Program was the surprise visit of Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of University of Lagos; Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN), with some Council Members, Vice Chancellor and the University’s Management Team to witness the Pitches by the various Design Thinking Teams comprising of students and coaches. The Council Chairman was shown round the various innovations created by the students and their coaches by the ESDC Coordinator.

Dr. Sunday Adebisi. The Chairman and his Team were quite excited by what they saw and heard and appreciated the Vice-Chancellor and the Lufthansa Team for this innovative and creative initiative. The 23 Design Teams pitched their creative ideas to a panel of astute entrepreneurs and business experts for seed funding. Each Design Teams had 3 minutes to present its business model which spanned several industries ranging from Technology, Tourism, Health, Education, Finance and Commerce. The Impact Week came to a close in colourful ceremony that was graced by the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Rahamon A. Bello FAEng, who was accompanied by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development Services) Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Registrar and Secretary to Council, Dr. Taiwo F. Ipaye, Acting Bursar, Mrs. Adepeju Adefope, and the Director, Quality Assurance & Servicom, Prof. L.O Chukwu, Dean Education, Prof. S. I. Jegede, Dean Sciences, Prof. A.A. Adekunle; Dean Faculty of Art; Prof. O. A. Falaiye; Dean Dental Sciences, Prof. O.O. Sofola; Dean Faculty of Business Administration; Prof. O.L. Kuye and some of the Heads of departments. The Lufthansa Managing Director for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa; Mr. Clause Becker was also in attendance with his Team. In appreciation of the Senior Coaches, the UNILAG Teachers made African attires for all 26 foreigner Coaches who were very excited and actually wore the attires all through the closing ceremony. The Lufthansa MD expressed his delight at the success of the Impact Week and attested to the fact the organization was top notch and commended University of Lagos for a good job. Certificates of Completion were presented to all the Teachers that successfully completed participated in the program. Certificates of Honours were presented to the VC, DVC and DS for their roles in facilitating a very good hosting of the program in Nigeria. After this, the winners were announced as follows:

• i. 1st Position Waste Treasurers (Innovation in Waste management)
• ii. 2nd Position Easy Fare (Innovation in Transportation System)
• iii. 3rd Position Hub Knobs (Innovation in Soft Ware innovation to Connect Artisans to customers and users of their services)