OKADA – Nigerian undergraduates have been challenged to move beyond the pursuit of white-collar jobs and harness entrepreneurial thinking, digital innovation and emerging technologies to transform societal challenges into viable businesses, generate employment and drive economic development.
The challenge was given by Professor Abolaji Dada, a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, while delivering a presentation titled “Building Entrepreneurial Mindset: Solving Real Problems in a Digital Economy” at Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
Dada, a former Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), and Manager of FUTA Innovation Multihubs, maintained that the future belongs to individuals who can identify pressing societal problems, understand people’s needs and develop practical solutions capable of creating measurable economic and social value.
He argued that Nigeria’s unemployment crisis, partly driven by weak industrial development, underscores the urgent need to strengthen the industrial sector while equipping young people with entrepreneurial and digital competencies to become job creators rather than dependants on scarce employment opportunities.
Describing entrepreneurial mindset as more than merely establishing a business, he identified five essential attributes: opportunity recognition, creative and critical thinking, initiative and resourcefulness, adaptability and resilience, and calculated risk-taking.
He also highlighted artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, augmented reality (AR), the Internet of Things (IoT) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as emerging technologies reshaping business models and opening new frontiers across banking, healthcare, education, fashion and entertainment.
Citing Paystack, Flutterwave, Jumia, Netflix, Airbnb and Amazon Web Services, he demonstrated how digital platforms, financial technology, e-commerce and data-driven enterprises have created new markets and opportunities for wealth creation.
The professor urged students to develop clear visions, plan strategically, embrace collaboration, acquire relevant digital and critical-thinking skills, seek mentorship and continuously update their knowledge. He emphasised that starting small, discipline, perseverance and learning from setbacks were indispensable to entrepreneurial success.
He outlined three principles for building sustainable enterprises: thinking critically to identify problems that matter, innovating purposefully through technology and available resources, and creating sustainable value through practical solutions with long-term impact.
Challenging the students, he asked: “What problem in your immediate environment are you prepared to stop merely discussing and begin working to solve?”
He stressed that entrepreneurial success would not belong merely to those who understand technology, but to those who can apply it intelligently to address human needs.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, said Igbinedion University’s vision since its establishment in 1999 had extended beyond the mere conferment of academic degrees to producing well-rounded graduates equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern world.
He described the entrepreneurship training organised by the Sir (Dr.) David Osunde Centre for Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition (CESA) as evidence of the institution’s commitment to practical education and graduate employability.
According to him, universities produce graduates with degrees, but industries require technicians with relevant skills.
“A degree without skills is incomplete, and skills without certification and industry linkage is insufficient,” Ezemonye declared.
He expressed appreciation to the University’s Chancellor, Chief Sir (Dr.) Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, CON, CFR, and Deputy Chancellor, Chief Sir (Dr.) Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, for their visionary leadership and sustained moral and financial support.
In her welcome address, the Director of CESA, Dr. Mrs. Mary Josiah, explained that the initiative was designed to strengthen students’ capacity for venture creation, self-reliance and sustainable economic participation.
She disclosed that the Centre operates 13 vocational and entrepreneurial schools covering animal husbandry, bakery and confectionery, block moulding, catering, cakes and event coverage, cosmetics, soap and toiletries, desktop publishing and business centre operations, fashion, make-up and bridal accessories, hair care, manicure and pedicure, technology and innovation, music, shoemaking and leather works, tailoring and fashion design, and textile design and production.
She explained that the programme builds on the entrepreneurship foundation introduced at 200 Level through ENT 211 (Entrepreneurship and Innovation), while 300 Level students undertake ENT 312 (Venture Creation) and IUO EPS 311 (Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition), which provide practical training in their chosen specialisations.
The Director further disclosed that the Centre had been formally adopted by the National Universities Commission (NUC) as a national model for entrepreneurship and skills development.
Highlighting its international collaborations, she revealed that two university staff members and 10 students travelled to Jiangxi Vocational University for Foreign Studies, Nanchang, China, last year, while two Chinese instructors visited Igbinedion University in August this year to train staff and students in Python programming, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics.
She added that students had also benefited from Chinese language instruction and other international learning opportunities facilitated through the Centre.
The Director commended the Vice-Chancellor for his sustained support and empowerment, reaffirming CESA’s commitment to producing innovative, skilled and enterprising graduates capable of establishing businesses, creating employment and contributing meaningfully to national development.
The presentation reinforced the need for universities to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills, positioning entrepreneurship, technological innovation and problem-solving as essential instruments for addressing Nigeria’s unemployment and development challenges.