During the 7th Public Lecture at the Corona College of Education (CCED) themed “The Future of Education and Entrepreneurship in Nigeria: Trends and Predictions,” Ibukun Awosika, Founder and CEO of The Chair Centre Group, proposed integrating effective entrepreneurship education into the early stages of Nigeria’s public academic programs.
Awosika emphasized the need to instill entrepreneurial skills starting from Primary school to build a pipeline that transforms every bright-thinking graduate into a valuable asset capable of job creation.
She highlighted that job creation is primarily fostered through entrepreneurship, with small and medium-sized companies serving as significant employers. However, the absence of smaller feeder companies for larger firms hampers efficient operations, making them needlessly expensive.
To create a functional value chain and stimulate job creation, Awosika stressed the importance of fostering a stronger link between Nigeria’s educational system and entrepreneurship. She suggested empowering children from an early age to approach situations with a mindset geared towards providing solutions with commercial value.
Awosika argued that not all entrepreneurs necessarily need a University education, as technical skills acquired post-primary or secondary school can also lead to successful enterprises, emphasizing that such individuals are not uneducated.
Reflecting on her personal journey, she highlighted that entrepreneurship isn’t solely dependent on a formal entrepreneurship degree. An entrepreneur, according to her, is a problem solver who can leverage knowledge to offer solutions economically to the population.
Dr. Olajumoke Mekiliuwa, CCED’s Provost, reiterated the lecture’s focus on revitalizing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria. She emphasized TVET’s potential to reconfigure the nation’s education system and bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical skills essential for entrepreneurship.
