UNIOS BUILDS FUTURE JOB CREATORS THROUGH TETFUND SPONSORED ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING
UNIOS BUILDS FUTURE JOB CREATORS THROUGH TETFUND SPONSORED ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING
The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, University of Jos, has commenced a comprehensive capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening venture creation, business development, and innovation skills among staff and students of the University.
The training, which commenced on Monday 16 February at the Centre located in the Naraguta Campus, is being implemented in collaboration with DEBDANS Nigeria Ltd, the contractor awarded the project, and is funded under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) 2025 Entrepreneurship Intervention.
At the opening ceremony, the Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation - Prof. Emmanuel Umoru Oki, charged all participants to take full advantage of the rare opportunity provided by the intervention. He emphasized the importance of commitment, discipline, and practical application of the knowledge gained during the training. Addressing the students in particular, he reassured them of the Centre’s readiness to support viable ideas and start-ups within its capacity, with the ultimate goal of grooming them to become employers of labour rather than job seekers in the near future.
He noted that the training aligns with the University of Jos’ broader mandate of producing graduates who are innovative, self-reliant, and capable of contributing meaningfully to national economic development. According to him, the Centre remains committed to bridging the gap between theory and practice by exposing participants to modern entrepreneurial tools, real-world business insights, and innovation-driven thinking.
The programme is structured in two major components. The first phase focuses on Venture Creation and Business Development, alongside Business Development Service Provider (BDSP) Awareness Training, targeting staff and students of the University of Jos. This phase is designed to equip participants with practical knowledge and skills required to start, manage, and scale sustainable enterprises while understanding the critical role of business development services in enterprise growth.
The second phase of the programme, which continues on Monday 23rd February, 2026 is dedicated to Design Thinking and Innovation, and is tailored specifically for facilitators of the Centre, alongside selected PhD students offering entrepreneurship-related courses. This advanced training is intended to deepen participants’ capacity to apply human-centred design approaches, creativity, and innovation methodologies in teaching, research, and enterprise support.
Participants expressed appreciation for the initiative, describing the training as timely and impactful, particularly in the current economic climate where entrepreneurial competence and innovation are critical for survival and growth. The ongoing training underscores the University’s dedication to leveraging strategic partnerships and interventions such as TETFund to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development within the University community and beyond.
Prof. Emmanuel Umoru Oki
Director
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