The Federal Government has announced that, beginning next year, all 74 federal universities will integrate entrepreneurship education into their academic programmes.

This initiative will ensure that students graduate with two certifications: a degree in their chosen field and a certificate in entrepreneurship.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated this in Abuja on Friday at the official launch of the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certification (EIBIC) programme.

Already, the programme has been approved in 14 federal universities, with plans to expand it to all 74 federal universities by 2027 and scale up to all federal polytechnics and colleges of education by 2028.

In his keynote address, the Minister described the programme as a transformative step toward reshaping Nigeria’s education system and preparing young people for the realities of a fast-changing global economy.

Alausa said the initiative marks a significant shift from traditional academic learning to a more practical, skills-driven approach that empowers students to create jobs rather than depend solely on employment opportunities.

He commended key stakeholders, including universities, the National Universities Commission (NUC), TETFund, industry partners, and academic leaders, for their roles in conceptualising and driving the programme.

According to him, the EIBIC programme comes at a critical time when conventional models of education are no longer sufficient to address the challenges of the 21st-century economy.

“The world is changing rapidly. Technology is reshaping industries, and many traditional jobs are disappearing. If we do not prepare our young people adequately, we risk widening the gap between education and employability,” he said.

The minister explained that the programme is designed to embed entrepreneurship across all fields of study, enabling students to transform their knowledge and talents into viable business ventures.

He added that participants would be equipped with practical skills such as innovation, business planning, financial literacy, and venture development, with the ultimate goal of reducing unemployment and fostering self-reliance among graduates.

Describing EIBIC as a “Students’ Enterprise Compass,” Alausa said the initiative would guide students toward productivity, creativity, and economic independence.

He noted that the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to build a resilient, knowledge-driven, and innovation-led economy.

The minister further stated that EIBIC forms part of the broader Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), which focuses on strengthening STEMM education, promoting skills acquisition, enhancing industry-academic collaboration, and leveraging education for economic growth.

Highlighting its structure, Alausa said the programme would provide early exposure to entrepreneurship at the 100 level, followed by progressive skill development in subsequent years, and culminate in full business incubation and venture creation before graduation. “This ensures that entrepreneurship is not treated as theory but as a lived experience that produces real businesses and real impact,” he said.

He added that beyond individual benefits, the programme would contribute to national development by reducing youth unemployment, stimulating innovation, and promoting wealth creation.

The minister called on university administrators, lecturers, industry players, and students to embrace the initiative and work collectively to ensure its success.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, and her counterpart at the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, lauded the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that will bridge the gap between academic learning and practical enterprise, while equipping students with the skills. (edited)