Nigeria to Open First-Ever Entrepreneurship University

Nigeria is on the verge of a groundbreaking development, the establishment of Africa’s first university dedicated solely to agriculture and entrepreneurship. The proposed Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, set to be built in Bama, Borno State, received enthusiastic support from stakeholders and leaders during a recent public hearing. 

This initiative could be a game-changer, offering a unique pathway to tackle Nigeria’s high youth unemployment rate and reliance on traditional, white-collar jobs.

At the heart of this project is Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan of Borno Central, who sponsored the bill and passionately advocated for the university. During the hearing, organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND, Lawan emphasized that the new university will be unlike any other in Africa, focusing specifically on teaching students how to turn agricultural opportunities into viable businesses. 

Lawan explained that this focus on agriculture and entrepreneurship is essential to support Nigeria’s growing youth population and empower them to become job creators rather than job seekers.

“The proposed university,” Lawan said, “will be a platform for youths to transform opportunities into business ventures and manage those ventures as a source of job creation, both for themselves and others.” Lawan envisions this university as an incubator for young entrepreneurs, equipping them with the skills, motivation, and knowledge to build successful businesses and contribute to Nigeria’s economy.

This initiative comes at a time when youth unemployment in Nigeria is alarmingly high, standing at 53% according to the Spectator Index. Nigeria ranks just below South Africa, which leads the global youth unemployment chart. 

This statistic, as Lawan pointed out, has severe consequences, fueling an increase in social issues and crime as young people struggle to find ways to survive. He expressed confidence that the new university could be part of the solution, equipping Nigeria’s youth with practical skills to reduce unemployment and promote self-sufficiency.

Senator Mohammed Muntari Dandutse, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND, also shared his thoughts on the university’s potential. “The proposed Entrepreneurship University will be a landmark for education in agriculture,” Dandutse noted. “Once established, it would help raise a generation of job creators, not job seekers.”

This support extended beyond the Senate as local leaders joined in endorsing the project. Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, and the Shehu of Bama, Dr. Ibn Umar Kyari El-Kanemi, expressed their gratitude for the Senate’s backing. They also pledged to leverage this institution to improve the economic conditions in Borno State and enhance opportunities for its residents.

The idea of focusing on entrepreneurship, particularly in agriculture, is well-suited to Nigeria’s economy. Agriculture has long been a cornerstone of the country’s economy, but young Nigerians often overlook it as a career path, preferring urban jobs that seem more prestigious. By establishing a university that integrates entrepreneurship with agriculture, Nigeria could see a revival in its agricultural sector, fueled by fresh ideas and a generation of ambitious young entrepreneurs.

The university will provide more than just a traditional education; it aims to teach students how to identify business opportunities, develop the skills to maximize those opportunities, and ultimately contribute to their communities.

It’s a vision that moves beyond the classroom, blending knowledge with real-world application, empowering young Nigerians to become not only skilled workers but also business owners and economic contributors.