Igbinedion University Flags Off 2026 Entrepreneurial Skill Acquisition And Employability Training

Nigeria's Premier and still leading Private University, Igbinedion University, Okada, on Wednesday 28th October, 2026, formally opened her 2026 Entrepreneurial Skill Acquisition and Employability Training at the University Main Auditorium, drawing students, staff, guests and a virtual audience.

The event, organised by the Sir (Dr) David Osunde Centre for Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition (CESA), was themed: "Building Entrepreneurial Mindset: Solving Real Problems in a Digital Economy."

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, PhD, FAS, while declaring the ceremony open, noted that the University's mission extended far beyond awarding degrees. Its goal, he stressed, is to produce well-rounded graduates who are ready for the realities of today's economy. He expressed gratitude to the Chancellor, Sir. Chief. (Dr.) Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, ESAMA of Benin Kingdom and the Deputy Chancellor, Chief. (Dr.) Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, for their consistent moral and financial backing for the institution.

Prof. Ezemonye identified Nigeria's core challenge as unemployability rather than unemployment alone. With a population exceeding 230 million and a median age of 18, more than two million young people enter the labour market each year. Universities, he noted, continue to turn out "graduates with degrees" while industry demands "technicians with skills." In an era reshaped by artificial intelligence and automation, the critical task is no longer merely finding a job but creating value.

The Guest Speaker, Prof. Abolaji D. Dada of the School of Logistics and Innovation Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), delivered the keynote lecture. A former Head of FUTA's Department of Entrepreneurship and Manager of its Innovation Multihubs, he addressed opportunity recognition, digital enterprises and emerging technologies. He emphasised the importance of vision, planning, collaboration, continuous skills development, mentorship and perseverance, closing with three guiding principles: think critically, innovate purposefully and create sustainable value.