Experts at a high-level collaborative workshop have, in a clarion call that could reshape Nigeria’s educational landscape, urged policymakers to pragmatically push entrepreneurship education from a mere curriculum checkbox into a practical, innovative force capable of turning job seekers into job creators. The workshop, held amid growing concerns over youth unemployment rates hovering above 40 per cent, emphasized the need for curriculum reforms, sustained funding, and stronger industry linkages to bridge the gap between entrepreneurial intentions and actual enterprise.

The workshop themed “Entrepreneurship Education Policy in Nigeria: How Far, How Well, What Next?”, took place recently at the African Centre for Excellence Design Studio, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. It was jointly organized by De Montfort University (DMU), Leicester, United Kingdom; the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM); and the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Development Studies (IFEDS), OAU. Supported by The British Academy, the gathering drew academics, policymakers, educators, and industry stakeholders committed to addressing economic exclusion through self-reliance initiatives.

In a communique issued at the end of the one-day event, participants highlighted the workshop’s role as a platform for cross-institutional dialogue, knowledge sharing, and dissecting long-standing research on entrepreneurship education. The document emphasizes Nigeria’s potential to become a global hub of entrepreneurial talent, but warns that current policies fall short in translating student interests into sustainable practices.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Rafiu Salawu, Dean of the Faculty of Administration at OAU, set a provocative tone by calling for sweeping reforms. He advocated curriculum overhaul to incorporate internships, targeted financing, and enhanced university-industry linkages. “We must expand the ecosystem for innovation finance and institute systematic monitoring and evaluation at least three years after graduation,” Salawu stated, emphasizing that such measures would help assess programme effectiveness and identify areas for redesign.

Aligning entrepreneurship education with Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was another key pillar of his address. He warned that without these alignments, the system risks irrelevance in a rapidly evolving global economy. Salawu closed with a memorable charge: “Become knowledgeable and job creators, rather than knowledge containers and job seekers.” This statement, echoed throughout the communique, resonated deeply with attendees, symbolizing a shift from passive learning to active value creation.

The special research presentation by Dr. Abiodun Egbetokun, from De Montfort, Leicester, United Kingdom, exposed a stark disconnect in current policies. Drawing from project findings on entrepreneurship education and youth in Nigeria, he revealed that despite initiatives by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), practical engagement among students remains alarmingly low. “There’s a gap between students’ entrepreneurial interests and actual practice,” Egbetokun noted. He stressed the criticality of constant financing, adherence to core principles of effective entrepreneurship education, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation to ensure consistent impact.

In another highlight of the event, Mr. Segun Awolowo, a seasoned entrepreneur, delivered an inspiring presentation on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Drawing from well articulated principles and real-world business strategies, he stressed the importance of passion as the cornerstone of success, urging aspiring entrepreneurs to identify their unique strengths and leverage them to create sustainable ventures. Awolowo also stressed the value of helping others and building strong teams, noting that “people are the key to business growth and innovation,” as he shared practical tips for overcoming challenges in Nigeria’s dynamic economic landscape.

Adding a hands-on dimension, the toolkit session led by Dr. Egbetokun focused on what an effective entrepreneurship education should entail. Egbetokun, drawing from real-life experiences, highlighted essential factors: mindset cultivation, problem-solving skills, capability building, value creation along the value chain, creative thinking, market demand assessment through surveys, and apprenticeship or mentorship programmes. “These elements are the bedrock for turning ideas into viable enterprises,” he explained, urging educators to integrate them beyond theoretical frameworks.

The panel session, moderated by Adedayo Olofinyehun, a reputable researcher at NACETEM, and featuring distinguished experts, delved into context-specific barriers and enablers of entrepreneurship education in Nigeria. Panelists included Professor Abimbola Fayomi of IFEDS, OAU; Professor Isaac Abereijo, former Director of IFEDS; Professor Adebayo Adedokun of the Department of Economics, OAU (who joined online); and Professor Titilayo Olaposi, Director of the African Institute for Science Policy and Innovation, OAU.

The discussion sparked a lively Question and Answer session, unpacking enablers like political willingness and proactive policy implementation, while flagging structural barriers such as faulty pedagogy, systemic hurdles, lack of monitoring and accountability, and conceptual misconceptions about entrepreneurship, not limited to business development but encompassing broader innovation.

On linkages to practice, panelists advocated need-based curriculum design, valuing Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PECs), institutional will through stakeholder orientation, and collaboration with key players. They critiqued the over-reliance on theoretical curricula, insisting that entrepreneurship should be practical-based. “The political willingness exists through various government policies in higher institutions, but implementation must be instant and proactive,” one panelist remarked.

Addressing institutional reforms, the experts called for capacity building for faculty and trainers, infrastructural development to create enabling environments for student interaction and co-creation, workload reduction for students to allow time for accelerators, and deeper linkages with industry and private sectors. They noted that government policies lack depth and recommended forming stakeholders’ forums using a bottom-up approach, alongside regular training needs analysis.

A poignant question on translating student interests into practice highlighted the need to identify push and pull factors. The experts noted that Nigeria’s entrepreneurship policy is tailored for replicative rather than innovative entrepreneurship, which is vital for this generation. “Entrepreneurship education should target solving local problems,” the panel urged, drawing best practices from developed countries where it is problem-driven.

These recommendations come at a critical juncture, as Nigeria grapples with economic pressures and a burgeoning youth population. With unemployment exacerbating social issues, the workshop’s insights could inform the Federal Ministry of Education and NUC in revising national policies.