In a significant stride towards global relevance, Ibadan-based catering and hospitality management school, Royal Spices Academy, has secured official accreditation from the Skills Development Council, Canada.
The international accreditation was announced by the Rector, Dr Olufunmi Adegbile, during the 2024/2025 graduation ceremony held in Ibadan on Tuesday.
The Skills Development Council Canada is an international body responsible for setting standards and offering certifications to training institutions worldwide.
Dr Adegbile described the development as a milestone that would create broader opportunities for both past and current students of the academy, urging the public to engage with the school’s information desk for further details.
She congratulated the 104 graduating students, charging them to remain passionate, committed, and excellent ambassadors of the academy.
“Our graduates have demonstrated exceptional commitment and passion for their craft.
“We congratulate 66 students who earned certificates in Culinary Arts, 27 students who earned diplomas in Culinary Arts, three students who earned certificates in Pastry and Finger Foods, two students who earned diplomas in Pastry and Finger Foods, three students who earned certificates in Cake Making and Sugar Craft, two students who earned certificates in Mixology, and one student who earned a certificate in Hotel and Hospitality Management.
“As you graduates embark on your journey, remember that your time at Royal Spices Academy has equipped you with the skills, knowledge, and passion to excel. Stay focused, driven, and committed to excellence.
“May your passion continue to grow, may your creativity inspire others, and may your contributions bring joy and satisfaction,” she said.
Guest Lecturer, Professor Ayo Hammed, in his presentation titled “Seasoned for Greatness: A Celebration of Taste, Tenacity Towards Entrepreneurial Success Among Startups,” highlighted the challenges of starting a business in Nigeria, particularly in the food sector, and encouraged the graduates to remain resilient.
“From erratic power supply to inflation, inconsistent regulations, and limited access to financing, our young entrepreneurs must often overcome challenges against all odds,” Hammed said.
He noted that Nigeria and Africa are endowed with rich and often underappreciated culinary knowledge, which must be harnessed for economic empowerment and cultural preservation.
“These practices are not simply about nourishing the body. They are about telling stories, preserving identity, and building resilience through food. Your training at Royal Spices Academy has equipped you with more than recipes. You have acquired the tools to create, innovate,” the guest lecturer said.
Hammed identified taste, talent, and tenacity as the three essential ingredients for entrepreneurial success.
“Every successful entrepreneur in Nigeria or anywhere else started with a challenge. What set them apart was not perfect conditions. It was the courage to build anyway,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the academy, Mr Tunde Laniyan, represented by Dr Demola Adegbile, commended the school management and the Rector for their consistent vision.
He urged the graduating students to remain focused and turn challenges into stepping stones.
“The whole world is waiting for them because, increasingly, people are beginning to understand that you are what you eat, and they are attaching a lot of importance to what they eat and how it is presented,” he said.
In her goodwill message, Dr Iyabo Bassir, encouraged the graduates to face the future with courage and seize every opportunity that comes their way.
The best-behaved student, Mrs Nike Ogunbeku, expressed gratitude to the academy for the life-changing experience it offered her.
“I have learnt so many menu, both local and intercontinental, which I did not know before,” she said.
The ceremony also featured an award of excellence presented to Mr Wale Adeniyi, Managing Director of Adis Hotels, Ibadan, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the hospitality industry.
Credit: newspeakonline.com
