FG launches entrepreneurship programme in tertiary institutions to tackle graduate unemployment

The Federal Government has introduced a new entrepreneurship initiative aimed at reducing graduate unemployment and promoting job creation across the country.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, unveiled the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certification (EIBIC) programme in Abuja over the weekend, stating that it is designed to turn students into job creators rather than job seekers.

He announced that 14 universities have been selected for the pilot phase. These include the University of Lagos (UNILAG); Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; Bayero University, Kano (BUK); Uthman Danfodio University (UDU), Sokoto; University of Benin (UNIBEN); University of Port Harcourt (UniPort); Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife; University of Ibadan (UI); University of Maiduguri (UniMaid); Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi; University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU); and the University of Abuja (UniAbuja).

Alausa described the initiative as a strategic response to evolving global realities, where technology is transforming industries and reducing conventional employment opportunities.

He noted that the programme signals a shift in Nigeria’s education system from theory-based learning to innovation, enterprise development, and practical skills acquisition.

“This programme will move our young people from being passive learners to active innovators and from graduates to nation builders,” the minister said.

Alausa stressed that while Nigeria’s youthful population remains a vital asset, traditional academic models can no longer adequately address rising unemployment and employability challenges.

He explained that the EIBIC programme will embed entrepreneurship training across disciplines such as engineering, medicine, law, the sciences, and the creative arts, enabling students to gain practical skills while still in school.

“Students will gain hands-on experience in innovation, business planning, financial literacy and venture development. The goal is to empower them to build viable enterprises even before graduation,” he added.

According to Alausa, the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Federal Ministry of Education’s reform framework under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).

He announced that the programme would be implemented in phases, starting with introductory entrepreneurship courses at the 100 level, followed by progressive skills development, and culminating in full business incubation and mentorship at advanced stages.

The minister stated that the pilot phase has commenced in 14 universities across the six geopolitical zones. He added that all federal universities, along with selected polytechnics and colleges of education, will be incorporated by 2027, with full nationwide adoption expected by 2028.

Alausa directed vice-chancellors of participating institutions to secure senate approval to integrate the programme before the end of April.

Meanwhile, a programme expert, Prof. Sunday Adebisi of UNILAG, noted that the initiative would bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry needs. He explained that the scheme would provide structured incubation pathways, mentorship, and access to funding, enabling students to turn their talents and ideas into sustainable businesses.

“The initiative is expected to support wealth creation by encouraging enterprises that can generate income and expand opportunities across communities,” he said.

Additionally, the Chief Executive Officer of EMADEB Energy and Founder of Ibom Upstream, Debo Olujimi, pledged an investment of N200 million to support student entrepreneurs across universities in the six geopolitical zones.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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