The Federal Government has unveiled a new entrepreneurship initiative for tertiary institutions.
The programme is a part of efforts to tackle graduate unemployment and promote job creation across the country.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who launched the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certification (EIBIC) programme in Abuja at the weekend, said the initiative was designed to transform students into job creators rather than job seekers.
He announced that the government had selected 14 universities for the pilot phase of the programme.
They 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 changing global realities, where technology is reshaping industries and reducing traditional employment opportunities.
The minister stated that the programme signalled 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,” he said.
Alausa noted that Nigeria’s youthful population remained a critical asset, but warned that conventional academic models could no longer address rising unemployment and employability challenges.
The minister explained that the EIBIC programme would embed entrepreneurship training across disciplines, such as engineering, medicine, law, the sciences, and the creative arts, enabling students to acquire 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 him, the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Education’s reform framework under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
Alausa announced that the programme would be implemented in phases, beginning 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 said the pilot phase had taken off in 14 universities across the six geopolitical zones.
He added that all federal universities, alongside selected polytechnics and colleges of education, would be incorporated by 2027, with full nationwide adoption expected by 2028.
Alausa directed vice chancellors of participating institutions to secure the Senate’s approval to integrate the programme before the end of April.
Also, an expert on the programme, Prof. Sunday Adebisi of UNILAG, said the initiative would bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry needs.
He noted that the scheme would provide structured incubation pathways, mentorship and access to funding, enabling students to convert 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.
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.
