UI Don Advocates Entrepreneurial Mindset For Non-Teaching Staff To Improve Administrative Efficiency

A senior academic at the University of Ibadan, Professor Samuel Olajuyigbe, has emphasized the importance of entrepreneurial thinking among non-teaching staff, stating that such a mindset is essential for improving administrative efficiency and institutional service delivery within universities.

Professor Olajuyigbe, who heads the Department of Forest Production and Products in the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources and also serves on the Advisory Committee of the University of Ibadan Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, made the remarks during the opening ceremony of a two-day TETFund-sponsored capacity building workshop for non-teaching staff.

The training programme, organised by the university’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, focused on the theme: “Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Mindset for Administrative Efficiency and Delivery.”

Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, Professor Olajuyigbe described the theme as timely and relevant to the evolving demands of university administration and workforce development.

He noted that non-teaching staff play critical roles within the university system, describing them as the institution’s frontline representatives, particularly in units such as Admissions and Human Resources where they directly interact with students, staff, and external stakeholders.

According to him, universities must move beyond conventional administrative practices and embrace innovative and solution-driven approaches to service delivery.

He urged participants to adopt entrepreneurial attitudes in carrying out their responsibilities, explaining that entrepreneurship extends beyond business ownership and reflects a broader culture of initiative, accountability, and problem-solving.

Professor Olajuyigbe also reminded participants of the University of Ibadan’s longstanding reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading academic institutions, while cautioning against complacency and encouraging continuous learning, innovation, and professional development.

He encouraged participants to actively engage during the workshop by contributing to discussions, identifying operational gaps, and exploring innovative methods for improving workplace efficiency.

The Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Professor Sherifat A. Aboaba, described the workshop as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening administrative capacity within the university system.

She stated that the realities of modern higher education require institutions to prioritize not only academic excellence but also administrative effectiveness, adaptability, innovation, teamwork, and proactive problem-solving.

Professor Aboaba described non-teaching staff as the operational backbone of universities, noting that their efficiency and professionalism significantly influence governance, institutional performance, and overall service delivery.

She explained that the workshop was designed to inspire new approaches to administrative responsibilities and encourage participants to embrace entrepreneurial values such as creativity, resilience, initiative, accountability, and continuous improvement.

According to her, entrepreneurship should not be viewed solely in terms of business creation but also as the ability to identify opportunities, manage resources effectively, solve problems efficiently, and create value within institutional settings.

She encouraged participants to approach the training with openness and commitment to learning, while also appreciating the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its sustained investment in staff development and institutional capacity building across Nigerian universities.

Professor Aboaba added that the knowledge gained from the training is expected to strengthen administrative efficiency, improve service delivery, and promote a culture of innovation and excellence across the university system.