By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
Experts and stakeholders in education, entrepreneurship, and public policy have lauded Allied Bond Consulting for its commitment to reforming Nigeria’s public sector and tertiary education curriculum. This commendation came during Day 1 of the National Workshop on Creating a New Model for Dynamic Growth Through Entrepreneurial Education, held at Merit House, Maitama, Abuja.
The workshop, themed “Repositioning Tertiary Education Curriculum for Entrepreneurial Competence and National Economic Resurgence,” brought together academics, policymakers, development partners, and industry experts to explore ways to embed entrepreneurial thinking into Nigeria’s educational framework.
Speaking to journalists, Dr. Adolphus Enu, a representative of Commonwealth University and an advocate of entrepreneurial learning, emphasized the importance of workshops like this in addressing Nigeria’s skills gap.
“This workshop is timely and necessary. It allows us to explore practical and innovative solutions for developing students’ entrepreneurial capacity. We are moving into a dynamic, digital economy. We need to equip students not just with theories, but with hands-on skills, integrity, and real-world competencies,” Dr. Enu stated.
On the issue of funding, Dr. Enu noted that while initiatives like the National Education Trust Fund (NETFUND) are commendable, collaboration with financial institutions and private sector actors is essential for sustainable student entrepreneurship funding.
Professor Ilemona Adofu, Director of Academic Planning at the Federal University of Lafia and a specialist in monetary economics and rural finance, stressed the need for multi-sector collaboration to move beyond theoretical knowledge.
“If we continue to rely solely on government funding, we will fall short. We must engage with industries, accelerators, and corporate social responsibility initiatives to fund practical entrepreneurship education. Our institutions are prepared to do this, we are thinking outside the box,” he said.
Professor Adofu also highlighted the importance of soft skills such as leadership, communication, and teamwork in shaping globally competitive graduates.
Sir T. Willie, Managing Consultant of Allied Bond Consulting and Program Coordinator for PIFS Conferences, said the workshop is part of a larger agenda aimed at fostering economic growth through entrepreneurship.
“We identified the lack of entrepreneurship as one of the key challenges in our economy. This workshop brings key stakeholders together to develop sustainable, actionable strategies. We are not just here to talk; we are here to implement,” he said.
Willie revealed that a communiqué from the workshop will be presented to the Honourable Minister of Education, who has pledged support for actionable outcomes from the event.
When asked about funding for the proposed initiatives, Willie explained that it would be sourced from a combination of government agencies, private sector investments, and international development partners.
The workshop continues through August 14, 2025, with sessions focused on entrepreneurship development in tertiary institutions, global best practices in entrepreneurial pedagogy, and accessible education funding models.
As Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy and tackle youth unemployment, initiatives such as this underscore the critical role of entrepreneurship education in building a resilient and innovative workforce.
