The Federal Government has directed universities in the country to establish entrepreneurship centres to equip graduates with requisite skills to become employers of labour.

Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqqayatu Rufa’i gave the directive during a two-day stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop on students advisory group framework, organised by the National Universities Commission.

The NUC organised the workshop in collaboration with the Centre for Accountability, Transparency and Good Leadership.

Rufa’i explained that universities were supposed to produce graduates that were self-reliant and productive.

This, she said, was the bed- rock of development in other climes, adding that government was incapable of providing everything.

According to the minister, “The entrepreneurship centres will equip graduates to be self-reliant and independent of government.

“The National Universities Commission has taken measures in establishing these centres with a view to addressing issues of job creation, poverty reduction and provision of sustainable employment which should engender an increase in the average income levels per household in Nigeria.

“And as well improve the international image of Nigeria through enhancing the competitiveness of the economy.”

The minister also said the partnership with CATGOL was in line with the federal government’s determination of ensuring entrepreneurial education in the curriculum of Nigerian universities.

She said the “Federal ministry of education is determined to give its full support to the student advisory group framework.”

Earlier, the Executive secretary of the NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie said the scheme would provide an opportunity for university undergraduates to directly engage and connect with credible, reputable and successful well-meaning Nigerians with a view to imbibing values that made such people great.

He said “It will enhance students’ social development across the Nigerian university system as well as produce globally competitive and nationally relevant entrepreneurially imbued graduates in order to make them internationally relevant and competitive as well as make them job creators as against job seekers.”


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