The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), in partnership with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), organised a five-day national workshop on the effective operations of Entrepreneurship Development Centres in Colleges of Education in Nigeria.
The workshop, facilitated by Dangolo Management and Financial Consult Ltd, had the theme: “New Entrepreneurship Pedagogy for Entrepreneurship Teacher Education in Colleges of Education” and was held at the NCCE Auditorium in Abuja.
It aimed to enhance the effective use of Entrepreneurship Centres in Colleges of Education across Nigeria, positioning teacher education as a catalyst for innovation and national productivity.
At the workshop’s opening ceremony, NCCE Executive Secretary, Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, described the initiative as a strategic move to transform entrepreneurship centres into vibrant platforms for practical learning and innovation.
He emphasised that the nation’s development hinges on education that goes beyond knowledge transmission to drive innovation, self-reliance, and sustainable economic growth.
Professor Okwelle noted that while establishing entrepreneurship centres is crucial, their success depends on effective utilisation for skill development and enterprise creation.
The workshop, which was conducted in three zonal centres, Abuja, Kano, and Asaba, aimed to assess the current state of these centres, share best practices, build capacity, and develop a sustainable roadmap for long-term impact.
The objectives of the workshop were clear: to conduct a thorough assessment, build the capacity of centre coordinators, foster collaboration, and develop an actionable roadmap.
Professor Okwelle urged provosts of colleges to take ownership of the initiative and provide the necessary leadership and resources to make entrepreneurship a living culture within their institutions.
In a goodwill message, Dr Saadatu Farook Labaran, representing Arc. Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFund, highlighted the pressing issue of youth unemployment in Nigeria, exacerbated by the country’s import-dependent economy and low industrialisation.
She emphasised that establishing and utilising Entrepreneurship Centres is a demonstration of commitment to nurturing a culture of self-reliance, creativity, and sustainable national development.
Dr Labaran assured that TETFund remains committed to supporting the initiative, recognising that the nation’s future depends on equipping educators and students with the right tools to thrive in a dynamic global economy.
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, commended the NCCE, stating that entrepreneurship centres must become functional laboratories of creativity and enterprise, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
This workshop marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to integrate entrepreneurship into teacher education and empower educators as catalysts for economic transformation.
