Godfrey Okoye University to Launch 120 Student-Led Micro-Businesses in 2025-2026 Session Through STEP-S Project

The Directorate of Entrepreneurial Studies at Godfrey Okoye University (GOU), Enugu, is poised to transform entrepreneurial training into tangible ventures, aiming to create 120 sustainable micro-businesses by the end of the 2025-2026 academic session.

This ambitious goal stems from the ongoing Student Training for Entrepreneurial Promotion - Sustainability (STEP-S) project, currently engaging about 650 students in hands-on entrepreneurship education.

The STEP-S initiative, a collaborative effort between Nigeria, Germany, South Africa, and Kenya, is funded in part by a N90 million grant from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), focusing on sustainable development goals. The program builds skills, knowledge, and confidence in young adults to pursue entrepreneurial paths, with GOU serving as a lead partner alongside institutions like Leuphana University in Germany, the University of Venda in South Africa, and Mt. Kenya University in Kenya.

Mr. Christopher Uwakwe, Director of the Directorate, shared these insights during a recent STEP-S training session for GOU students, highlighting the program's design to equip participants with practical solutions for local challenges. He noted that outstanding business ideas will be mentored at the university's GO-Startup Incubation Foundation (GO-SIF) for acceleration and scaling, building on the success of previous STEP efforts that have trained over 3,000 students since 2018 and spawned more than 1,000 micro-businesses.

Describing the STEP-S outcomes as "amazing," Mr. Uwakwe revealed that at least 15 percent of participants demonstrate strong potential for launching their own enterprises. To support this, students will receive seed funding to start their businesses, with a structure allowing them to repay the principal and retain profits after 12 weeks, fostering real-world sustainability and financial independence.

Participants like Victor Nwokedi, Blessing Orabueze, Emmanuela Gabriel, and Philimon Okoli praised the training for instilling essential lessons in teamwork, feedback, and business viability, urging peers to adopt a proactive mindset toward job creation. They also called on university management to integrate more industry professionals for practical insights into business management.

Mr. Uwakwe encouraged all trainees to apply their newfound expertise to launch impactful startups, contributing to community development and reducing youth unemployment in Nigeria. This session aligns with GOU's broader mission, as the first Nigerian university to embed entrepreneurship across its curriculum, positioning it as a leader in fostering innovation and self-reliance among graduates.