FG Rolls Out Entrepreneurship Scheme In 14 Universities
Nigeria’s Federal Government has launched a new Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certification programme in 14 universities, setting a target to extend it to all federal universities by 2027 and all federal tertiary institutions by 2028.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, announced the rollout on Friday in Abuja, presenting the initiative as a policy shift aimed at moving students beyond classroom learning into enterprise development, innovation and job creation.
“Today marks not just the launch of a programme, but the beginning of a new paradigm in Nigeria’s education system, one that shifts our young people from job-seekers to job-creators, from passive learners to active innovators, and from graduates to nation builders,” Alausa said.
He said the programme was being introduced at a time when technological change is altering labour markets and exposing the limits of traditional academic training. “The world is changing rapidly. Technology is reshaping industries, and many traditional jobs are disappearing. Even as new opportunities emerge, if we do not prepare our young people adequately, we risk widening the gap between education and employability,” he added.
According to the minister, the EIBIC programme will run alongside students’ academic courses from first year to graduation and will be mandatory for participants. It is designed to provide practical training in innovation, business planning, financial literacy, venture development, incubation and mentorship, while also giving students access to funding opportunities.
He said students who complete the programme would graduate with an additional certification in entrepreneurship alongside their academic degrees.
Alausa linked the initiative to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as part of a wider plan to build a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy.
The first phase covers the University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Jos, Bayero University Kano, Uthman Danfodio University, University of Benin, University of Port Harcourt, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan, University of Maiduguri, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nnamdi Azikiwe University and University of Abuja.
“Today, EIBIC is being rolled out in 14 universities. By next year, all federal universities will be onboarded, including some federal polytechnics and Colleges of Education. By the end of 2028, all our federal tertiary institutions will be fully onboarded,” he said.
The minister also disclosed that 36,000 young entrepreneurs applied for the ministry’s Student Venture Capital Grant, with 63 beneficiaries expected to be selected on Sunday.
He directed vice-chancellors of the participating institutions to secure senate approval for the programme before the end of April, warning that delays would attract consequences.
Earlier, the Chairman of the EIBIC Planning and Monitoring Committee and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, described the initiative as “a transformative leap” in aligning education with economic development, saying it would strengthen the connection between academic learning and market needs.