The Federal Government has introduced a major reform in tertiary education. With the launch of the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certification (EIBIC) programme.
Unveiled by the Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, the initiative will require students in selected universities to graduate with an additional entrepreneurship certification alongside their academic degrees.
According to the government, this marks a strategic shift from producing job seekers. To developing job creators equipped with practical business and innovation skills.
Phased Rollout Across Top Universities
The programme will begin with 14 federal universities, including University of Lagos. Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, among others.
The Federal Government plans to expand the initiative to all federal universities by 2027. And further extend it to all federal tertiary institutions—including polytechnics and colleges of education—by 2028.
What This Means for Students
With this new policy, students will now undergo structured training in entrepreneurship, innovation, and business incubation as part of their academic journey.
The goal is to ensure graduates leave school not just with certificates. But with real-world skills to start and manage businesses, drive innovation, and contribute to economic growth.
This could redefine higher education in Nigeria—making entrepreneurship a core requirement, not an option.
