Experts in the education sector have declared that the country is in desperate need of a paradigm shift to promote the entrepreneurial spirit in every individual.
Speaking at the first international conference organised by the Department of Business Administration, University of Lagos (UNILAG), themed: ‘Exploring the future of sustainable entrepreneurship development in Africa,’ participants noted that embracing sustainable entrepreneurship drive is key to surviving the current challenges bedevilling the country.
Addressing the participants, the Head of Department, Prof. Bolajoko Dixon-Ogbechi, said Nigerian students must be equipped with entrepreneurship skills to be relevant in the labour market.
She noted that the challenge with entrepreneurship in the country is the lack of sustainability, which is one of the major reasons the conference was organised.
According to her, “Being productive entrepreneurially is not enough if sustainability is not guaranteed.”
While declaring the two-day conference opened, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Tertiary Education, Kasali Adeniran, emphasised the reality for countries that embrace entrepreneurship, noting that the world is volatile, hence, the need to equip youths, who are the teeming population of the country, with business skills.
He said: “For you to survive in this environment, you need to acquire certain skills that would make you succeed in any business that you do. That is why sustainable development of entrepreneurship is very key.”
Sanwo-Olu stressed the importance of possessing the right knowledge and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills, which are crucial to sustainability, reminding us that the 21st century is about critical thinking and problem-solving strategies.
“Our business-mindedness should be influenced by creativity and innovation, that is the way we can survive,” he added.
He, however, noted that sustainability cannot be achieved if collaboration and partnerships are not considered.
The Vice-Chancellor, UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, represented by the Director, Academic Planning, Matthew Ilori, restated the need to embrace skills rather than depending on certificat.
She noted that every discipline in the university has skills waiting to be explored.
Ogunsola explained that entrepreneurship is not all about vocational skills, but being innovative, adding that it is the hallmark of entrepreneurship growth.
She urged the universities to be conscious of entrepreneurship development with an emphasis on innovation.
In his keynote address, Professor in Business and Innovation at the Greater Manchester Business School, University of Bolton, United Kingdom, Hakeem Owolabi, observed that access to finance is one of the major obstacles hindering entrepreneurship growth in Africa.
He, therefore, encouraged an effective relationship and collaboration with the government, banks and other critical stakeholders for the sustainability of entrepreneurship development in Africa.
