EIBIC: Boosting entrepreneurship in varsities

“EIBIC aligns with our national priorities. This initiative aligns perfectly with the vision of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Agenda to build a resilient, knowledge-driven, and innovation-led economy,” he said.

Already, it gives hope when measured on a national scale, even if the first phase of implementation begins in 14 universities including Usman Danfodiyo University, University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Jos, Bayero University Kano, 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 the University of Abuja.

The true genius of this programme, however, lies in the public perception of its feasibility.

Fathia Omileye of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti(FUOYE) said: “When I graduate, I’m certain I would not be in a dilemma if it happens that I don’t get a job due to the low employment rate in our country. I now have the knowledge and ‘ll implement it right when it is needed.”

After training sessions had begun in her school, it’d started with her getting to know that as a 200-Level Mass Communication student, there’s more to the media space than just working in organizations. Fathia disclosed her newfound interest in areas like PR, branding, content creation, or advertising.

“As a student of Mass Communication, I find this training quite relevant. It has opened my eyes to opportunities. In all honesty, I had no prior knowledge on innovation and entrepreneurship before I got my admission, and yet, it has been a great eye opener for me,” she said.

For  Aderibigbe Kayode, a Medicine and Surgery student at Ambrose Alli University(AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, he remains hopeful of benefiting from this initiative. Because of his interest in setting up a private clinic chain or a med-tech startup, he expresses excitement for how it aligns with his plans of gaining business skills while in school.

Similarly, Usman Ahmed Alaliya of the Faculty of Education at the Federal University Dustin-Ma (FUDMA) believes it could be a great start.

When asked if it was necessary for students to claim ownership of ideas birthed during the training, he said: “Students will be wary of building something substantial if they fear the university will claim ownership. A clear, student-friendly IP policy that allows graduates to take their ventures with them is non-negotiable for trust and participation.”

He then outlined details from his contextual observations. First on the list is the learning condition, which he described as industry integration, that would require teaching (or curriculum) co-designed with active entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and industry leaders.

Of its outcome, he noted:  “The most profound impact would be cultural. Currently, many families view university as a means to secure a government or corporate job. If these 14 universities start producing graduates who are business owners employing others, it shifts the societal definition of “success.” It normalizes the idea that a graduate’s first day out of school should be the first day of their business, not the first day of a job hunt.”

Still, the prospects does not sound convincing enough for Shaibu Rufai Omale, a 200-Level student at  Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto(UDUS) . His concern extends to what comes at the expense of producing the next generation of economically productive and self-reliant graduates.

“There is also the challenge of balancing academic workload with entrepreneurial activities, as students may struggle to manage both without proper institutional support and flexibility,” he said.

Although its relevance to students’ career aspirations should be considered, according to Omale, “Whether in the science, humanities, or professional courses, it will promote the ability to think and build sustainable ventures.

Stakeholders maintain, however, that the government’s approach helps tackle what the World Economic Forum in its Global Risks Report identified as the lack of economic opportunity.

In  an exclusive interview with CAMPUS LIFE, the Vice Chancellor, African School of Economics (The Pan-African University of Excellence), Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji described it as a major step in the direction of improving the educational outcomes of  students.

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“It is important to emphasize the current thinking, which is our operational philosophy at the African School of Economics (The Pan-African University of Excellence), Abuja, that students should be prepared to be job creators and employers of labour, not job hunters and applicant writers,” said Adedimeji, who noted that some universities are now adopting this same perception.

Speaking further, Adedimeji addressed concerns regarding  training activities.

He said: “The mainstreaming of the programme by the Federal Government will not only harmonize such training but also inspire many other universities and institutions to toe that line, because higher education isn’t just supposed to be a nourishment for the soul, but ideally meant to an empowerment space for financial independence.”

The VC clarified that on no such occasion will it in any way affect academic operations.

“Since it is meant to be an integral part of their training, I don’t think it will affect students’ academic work. As a matter of fact, training in the university goes beyond the formal curriculum. It includes exposure to leadership, networking, social relations, sports, enterprise and so on. All these activities complement academics, not contradict it,” he said.