UNILAG-ESDC Graduates 110 Staff from Skill Acquisition Training

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has graduated 110 academic and non-teaching staff from the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Training Programme (Batch Two) of its Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre (ESDC).

The graduation ceremony took place on Monday, August 18, 2025, at the UNILAG/BOI Incubation Hub.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, delivered the keynote address titled Skill Set to Start-Up: Launching Your Entrepreneurial Journey. She congratulated the participants and urged them to convert their skills into wealth-creating ventures beyond monthly salaries. She also encouraged them to build financial resilience, identify their Unique Selling Points (USPs), and remain adaptable to market realities.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Foluso E. A. Lesi, advised the graduates to embrace innovation and keep open minds as they chart their entrepreneurial paths.

In his presentation on Building a Business Model: From Concept to Market, Director of ESDC, Professor Sunday Adebisi, highlighted five human potential elements—hobbies, talents, discipline, interests, and likes—as the foundation of entrepreneurship. He also stressed vision, creativity, passion, risk-taking, hard work, and persistence as essential entrepreneurial qualities.

Other speakers included:

• Dr. Elohor Katherine Idolor, financial expert, who delivered Financial Fundamentals for Start-ups. She emphasised record-keeping, cost management, sales monitoring, customer acquisition, and sound financial practices as keys to attracting investors.
• Dr. Oladimeji Olatunde (Faculty of Management Sciences, UNILAG), who spoke on Mastering Brand Identity: Crafting a Compelling Brand for Your Business. He identified colour, sound, taste/smell, and emotional connection as vital for branding and urged participants to develop unique brand identities.
• Dr. Rahim Ajao Ganiyu, who discussed Marketing Tools and Strategies for a Successful Enterprise. He encouraged a blend of online tools, such as social media, with offline networking, stressing consistency, creativity, and audience engagement.

The training equipped participants with practical skills and entrepreneurial mind-sets in six key areas:

• Food and confectionaries
• Solar energy
• Pattern drafting and tailoring
• Fabric and textiles
• Household essentials
• Interior decoration

The first edition of the programme, held in 2024, trained 50 staff members in four areas: production of household chemicals, food and confectioneries, up-cycling, and textile design.

As part of the University’s Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Business Incubation Certification (EIBIC) programme, the ESDC training is designed to help staff develop sustainable businesses. It reflects UNILAG’s commitment to fostering innovation, job creation, and enterprise leadership among its community.