By Vincent Obi
Awka, May 31, 2024. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has challenged Nigerian universities to lay more emphasis on training in entrepreneurship to ensure that graduates become job creators instead of job seekers.
The President, represented by the Director of Tertiary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Rakiya Iliyasu, made the charge at the 18th convocation ceremony of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik), Awka, Anambra State, on Friday.
“I challenge our universities to continue to emphasise training in entrepreneurship so that these graduates are able to become job creators, instead of perennial job seekers.
“I have no doubt that the Nigerian universities are very much able to find lasting solutions to problems facing the country,” he stated.
According to the president, to actualise his renewed hope agenda, government needs to cooperate with universities and other key sectors.
He also appealed for greater transparency in the management of the affairs of universities and more commitment to research and publications for which government is providing financial and other resources through the Tertiary Education TETfund and Needs assessment intervention funds.
The president also stated that the federal government has, through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, inaugurated the labour employment enhancement programme (LEEP), which is designed to create 10 millions jobs annually.
He said that the programme will create an average of 2.5 millions jobs annually for the next four years.
“Under this programme, young Nigerians will be trained and equipped with the necessary tools and opportunities for employment, especially self employment, through the strategies of digital skills initiative, vocational entrepreneurial skills programmes, infrastructure upgrade and the national
electronic labour exchange,” he said.
The outgoing Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university, Prof Charles Esimone, said that he is leaving as a fulfilled person because he fulfilled almost all his promises as the VC.
He said that he was able to raise the bar in academics, research and moral discipline and attracted projects worth N60 billion to the university.
He also stated that he introduced discipline in the institution, noting that today both students and staff are careful about their attitudes.
In his own speech, the chancellor of the university, His Majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwon Jos, commended the outgoing Vice Chancellor for his uprightness in piloting the affairs of the university for five years.
According to him, Esimone had done well in managing the Institution and prayed that the incoming VC should follow suit.
Prof Meshach Umenweke, convocation representative and member of the governing council, said that the University had grown rapidly and produced fully baked graduates.
Mr Benjamin Agbo, who convocated with a second class degree, upper division, in political science, expressed gratitude to God.
Agbo urged the federal government to ensure that efforts are made to end strike in universities to achieve quality educational prowess.
He said “if students are well exposed to current educational system, they can become job creators and self reliant.
