Economic experts have reaffirmed the critical role of entrepreneurship education in stimulating Nigeria’s economic development and addressing youth unemployment.
This position was advanced during a workshop jointly organised by De Montfort University, Leicester; the University of Ibadan School of Business (UIBS); and the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The event, themed “Teaching to Thrive: The Power of Entrepreneurship Education for Youth Empowerment”, was anchored on findings from a British Academy-funded research project titled “Impact of Entrepreneurship Education on Youth Entrepreneurship in Nigeria”. The study examined the gap between entrepreneurship interest and actual entrepreneurial practice among Nigerian youth.
Co-investigator and NACETEM representative, Mr Adedayo Olofinyehun, explained that although various institutions—including universities and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)—have introduced entrepreneurship courses to stimulate interest, this has not consistently translated into practical business ventures.
The project, which builds on earlier research initiated in 2007, explored the long-term impact of the 2006 policy mandating entrepreneurship education in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Project lead, Dr Abiodun Egbetokun of De Montfort University, Leicester, presented a new toolkit developed by the research team to improve the delivery and effectiveness of entrepreneurship education. He emphasised the need for well-structured, actionable strategies to translate academic knowledge into entrepreneurial activity.
“Entrepreneurship education is widely recognised as a vital tool for fostering innovation, creating jobs and combating youth unemployment. Yet, something is clearly amiss with the nature of training currently being offered to students,” Dr Egbetokun said.
The toolkit, he explained, was designed to guide educators, trainers, curriculum designers, policymakers, and business owners in creating more impactful and inspiring programmes that encourage entrepreneurial thinking and skill acquisition.
He highlighted several core principles essential for effective entrepreneurship education, including relevance, experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, inclusivity, ongoing faculty development, impact assessment, and ethical business sustainability.
The keynote address was delivered by Professor S. O. Adedeji of the University of Ibadan, an authority in the economics of education. A panel discussion followed, featuring Dr Abolaji Dada, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Federal University of Technology, Akure; Professor A. O. Adewuyi, former Director of UIBS; and Dr Siyanbola Omitoyin of UIBS.
The experts unanimously agreed that entrepreneurship education, when well-designed and implemented, can serve as a powerful catalyst for economic advancement and individual empowerment. They called on policymakers and stakeholders to adopt the principles and strategies outlined in the new toolkit, noting that such efforts would equip young Nigerians with the tools needed to drive innovation and resilience within their communities.
