The Federal Government has launched the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certification (EIBIC) Programme aimed at equipping Nigerian students with entrepreneurial skills to become job creators before graduation.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as a major step toward repositioning Nigeria’s education system for innovation, enterprise and economic productivity.
Alausa said the programme would shift learning toward practical, innovation-driven approaches that prepare students to establish sustainable businesses.
According to him, the initiative embeds entrepreneurship across all academic disciplines, enabling students to convert academic knowledge into viable ventures.
He added that the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative.
The Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Said Ahmad, stressed the importance of practical skills acquisition to enhance employability and promote self-reliance among students.
She noted that equipping students with industry-relevant skills would help address unemployment challenges and encourage innovation across sectors.
Stakeholders from academia and industry also highlighted the programme’s potential to drive enterprise development, promote innovation and reduce youth unemployment nationwide.
The ministry said the programme is currently being implemented in selected universities and would be expanded across the country to provide mentorship, incubation support and opportunities for students to develop scalable enterprises.
The Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to equipping students with industry-ready skills capable of driving national economic growth.
