The Federal Government has introduced a new Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certification (EIBIC) programme across 14 universities, with plans to extend it to all federal universities by 2027 and all federal tertiary institutions by 2028.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as a significant step toward reshaping Nigeria’s education system to prioritise innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
He said the programme represents a shift from traditional learning models, aiming to transform students into job creators and innovators rather than job seekers. According to him, the initiative comes at a crucial time when Nigeria must better harness its youthful population amid rapid technological changes.
Alausa warned that evolving technologies are disrupting industries and could widen the gap between education and employability if students are not properly equipped with relevant skills.
He explained that the EIBIC programme is designed to integrate entrepreneurship into all academic disciplines, equipping students with practical skills such as business planning, financial literacy, innovation, and venture development. He cited ongoing efforts at the University of Lagos as a model for implementation.
The minister linked the programme to the economic vision of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that it aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to build a resilient, knowledge-driven, and innovation-led economy.
The first phase of the rollout includes institutions such as Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and University of Abuja, among others.
Alausa added that the programme would be implemented in phases, with all federal universities expected to join by next year, alongside some polytechnics and colleges of education, before full nationwide coverage by 2028.
He also highlighted the ministry’s Student Venture Capital Grant, revealing that 36,000 young entrepreneurs applied, with 63 beneficiaries set to be selected.
The minister directed vice-chancellors of participating institutions to ensure swift approval of the programme within their senates before the end of April, warning that delays would attract consequences.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, who chairs the EIBIC Planning and Monitoring Committee, described the initiative as a transformative move to align education with national economic development goals.
He noted that the programme would bridge the gap between academic learning and market needs by promoting practical skills, innovation, and structured business incubation, ultimately producing a new generation of entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
The EIBIC programme is a compulsory initiative that runs alongside students’ academic studies from their first year to graduation. It includes entrepreneurship training, mentorship, incubation support, and access to funding opportunities.
Students will follow a structured path from idea development to business creation and, upon completion, will receive an additional certification in entrepreneurship alongside their degrees.
