The Federal Government has unveiled the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certification (EIBIC) programme, a transformative initiative aimed at equipping Nigerian students with the skills to become job creators and innovators.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the programme as a major shift in Nigeria’s education system toward entrepreneurship, enterprise development and innovation.
According to him, EIBIC represents a strategic response to changing global realities, where rapid technological advancement is reshaping industries and reducing traditional employment opportunities.
“Today marks not just the launch of a programme, but the beginning of a new paradigm in Nigeria’s education system. This programme will shift our young people from passive learners to active innovators and from graduates to nation builders,” he said.
The minister noted that Nigeria’s youthful population remains both a critical asset and a responsibility, stressing that conventional academic models are no longer sufficient to tackle unemployment and employability challenges.
He explained that EIBIC is designed to integrate entrepreneurship education across disciplines, including engineering, medicine, law, sciences and the creative arts. Students will gain practical skills in innovation, business development, financial literacy and venture creation while still in school.
“EIBIC enables students to convert knowledge, talent and passion into viable enterprises even before graduation,” Alausa added.
The initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Education’s reform framework under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI). It is also expected to strengthen STEMM education, promote skills acquisition and enhance collaboration between academia and industry.
EIBIC will operate through a structured, multi-level model, beginning with entrepreneurship exposure at the 100 level, progressing to advanced skill development, and culminating in full business incubation, mentorship and venture creation in the final stages.
The programme has already been introduced in 14 federal universities across Nigeria, with plans to expand to all federal universities, selected polytechnics and colleges of education by 2027. Full nationwide adoption is expected by 2028.
Participating institutions include University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University Kano, University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and University of Abuja, among others.
Alausa has directed vice-chancellors of participating universities to secure Senate approval for the full integration of the programme before the end of April. He also called on lecturers, industry stakeholders and investors to actively mentor and support student innovators.
Providing further insight, EIBIC Subject Matter Expert, Prof. Sunday Adebisi, said the initiative would bridge the gap between education and industry by aligning academic training with real-world economic needs.
He added that the programme would enable students to transform their talents, hobbies and academic knowledge into sustainable enterprises through structured incubation pathways, mentorship and access to funding.
In support of the initiative, Debo Olujimi, Chief Executive Officer of EMADEB Energy and Founder of Ibom Upstream, pledged an investment of N200 million across universities in the six geopolitical zones to support young innovators.
The Federal Government expressed optimism that EIBIC will accelerate Nigeria’s transition to an innovation-driven economy while fostering wealth creation and sustainable development nationwide.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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