The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Finance, has trained students on entrepreneurship development in no fewer than 100 higher institutions across the country.
The Assistant Director of Finance and Accounts at the ministry, Mohammed Baba, disclosed this at the weekend during a lecture for students of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi. He explained that the training is being implemented under the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YOUWIN) programme of the ministry.
According to him, the initiative is part of President Bola Tinubu’s drive to equip Nigerian youths with entrepreneurial skills that will make them self-sufficient and less dependent on government employment.
“We have covered more than 100 tertiary institutions, and with this initiative, the generation to come will be better,” Baba said. “They must acquire entrepreneurship skills so they can grow as entrepreneurs and become employers of labour if they don’t secure white-collar jobs.”
Baba explained that the training is structured in two phases first, to provide theoretical knowledge, and later, to support students with practical experience through grants disbursed to entrepreneurship departments, which would then identify the most qualified student entrepreneurs.
He further advised students to make the best use of the forthcoming grants and also take advantage of facilities from the Bank of Industry to actualise their business ideas even before federal grants arrive.
In her lecture, Mrs. Deborah Tatimi, a facilitator, described the YOUWIN programme as a platform designed to inspire, equip, and encourage students to see entrepreneurship as a viable career. She said it seeks to reduce dependence on government jobs while fostering a culture of self-reliance, innovation, and job creation.
Earlier, the Registrar of the Polytechnic, Alhaji Kasim Salihu, lauded the Federal Government for selecting the institution for the training. He stressed that entrepreneurship remained key to national development and urged the government to back the theoretical training with practical grants that would help students actualise their skills.
