The Federal Government has introduced a new Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certification (EIBIC) programme across 14 Nigerian universities, with a broader plan to extend it to all federal universities by 2027 and every federal tertiary institution by 2028.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, described the initiative as a significant transformation in the country’s education approach, with a strong focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and employment generation.
“Today marks not just the launch of a programme, but the beginning of a new paradigm in Nigeria’s education system, one that shifts our young people from job-seekers to job-creators, from passive learners to active innovators, and from graduates to nation builders,” he said.
Alausa explained that the programme comes at a crucial time, as Nigeria seeks to maximise the potential of its large youth population while addressing the shortcomings of conventional academic models.
He warned that rapid technological advancements are already reshaping global industries, making it necessary for the country to rethink how students are prepared for the labour market.
“The world is changing rapidly. Technology is reshaping industries, and many traditional jobs are disappearing. Even as new opportunities emerge, if we do not prepare our young people adequately, we risk widening the gap between education and employability,” he said.
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According to the minister, the EIBIC initiative is designed to integrate entrepreneurship education into all fields of study, equipping students with practical skills such as business development, financial literacy, innovation, and enterprise management. He cited ongoing efforts at the University of Lagos as a working example of the model.
He also linked the programme to President Bola Tinubu’s broader economic agenda, noting that it aligns with the administration’s plan to build a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy.
“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,” Alausa said.
The first phase of the rollout covers 14 universities, including the University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Jos, Bayero University Kano, Uthman Danfodio University, 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.
Providing further details on the expansion plan, the minister said, “Today, EIBIC is being rolled out in 14 universities. By next year, all federal universities will be onboarded, including some federal polytechnics and Colleges of Education. By the end of 2028, all our federal tertiary institutions will be fully onboarded.”
He also highlighted the Student Venture Capital Grant introduced by the ministry, noting the overwhelming response from young Nigerians.
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“On Sunday, we will be choosing 63 people who will benefit from the Student Venture Capital Grant. Guess how many people applied? 36,000 young entrepreneurs applied,” he said.
Alausa directed vice-chancellors of the participating institutions to ensure swift approval of the programme within their senates, setting a strict deadline.
“I am directing you all on or before the end of April; all your senators must approve this programme. This is a directive that I am not going to take lightly. I will call, and there will be consequences because we are in a hurry to get this programme to our youth,” he warned.
Earlier, the Chairman of the EIBIC Planning and Monitoring Committee and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, described the initiative as a bold step toward aligning education with Nigeria’s economic priorities.
“This landmark initiative by the Minister marks a transformative leap in repositioning Nigerian education as a true driver of national economic development,” he said.
He added that the programme complements existing funding opportunities for student entrepreneurs and will strengthen the connection between academic learning and real-world market demands.
“By focusing on practical skills acquisition, innovation-driven thinking, and structured incubation, it is not just satisfying individuals. It is building a new generation of job creators, innovators, and industrial leaders,” Ishaya said.
The event drew key stakeholders from across the education sector, with expectations that the programme will help tackle youth unemployment and support long-term economic growth.
Designed as a compulsory component of tertiary education, the EIBIC programme will run alongside students’ academic studies from their first year until graduation. It includes orientation programmes, continuous training in entrepreneurship, and access to mentorship, incubation, and funding support.
Students will follow a structured path from idea development to business creation, enabling them to establish viable enterprises even before completing their degrees. At the end of the programme, participants will receive an additional certification in entrepreneurship alongside their academic qualifications.
