By Edward Oseghe
The Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), Prof. Ikechukwu Ezemonye, has called on Nigerian educational institutions to deliberately engineer a decisive transition from classroom learning to job-creating enterprises as a pathway to economic transformation.
Prof. Ezemonye made the call on Tuesday at the 13th Student Product Exhibition of Igbinedion University, held at the Sir (Dr.) David Osunde Centre for Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Main Campus, Okada, Edo State.
He stressed that reshaping Nigeria’s economic landscape is a shared responsibility, noting that IUO remains committed to deepening industry linkages, strengthening mentorship programmes, and providing the intellectual infrastructure needed to nurture enterprise.
“The transition from being a job seeker to a job creator is perhaps the most critical transition we must engineer,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
“Our classrooms must be the launchpads for innovation, our curricula the moulds for resilient entrepreneurs, and our degrees the charter for economic transformation,” he added.
Speaking further, he underscored the role of universities in producing graduates who are not only employable but capable of creating employment opportunities for others.
Delivering the keynote lecture titled “From Classroom to Job-Creating Enterprises: A Guide to Establishing Ventures that Foster Employment Opportunities and Transform the Economic Landscape,” the guest speaker, Prof. Idris Bugaje, described education as functional only when it delivers practical skills and entrepreneurship.
Prof. Bugaje, a renowned academic, researcher, and advocate for technical education, said Nigeria could unlock the enormous potential of its youth population through a blend of innovation funding, comprehensive skills training, and inclusive policies.
“By combining innovation funding mechanisms, comprehensive skills training, and inclusive policies, Nigeria can drive sustainable economic transformation.
“Together, educators, entrepreneurs, government institutions, and investors can build ventures that do not just survive — they thrive, creating lasting employment and driving economic growth across all sectors,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to move beyond theory and deliberately convert classroom concepts into thriving enterprises capable of powering Nigeria’s future economy.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition (CESA), Dr. (Mrs.) Mary Josiah said the exhibition is beyond showcasing academic work, reflecting the dedication, determination, and problem-solving abilities of the students.
She explained that students drawn from 13 schools within the entrepreneurship complex had been trained to develop an entrepreneurial mindset that enables them to identify opportunities and maximise them for societal impact.
Dr. Josiah commended the Founder and Chancellor of IUO, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, CFR, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, and the Vice-Chancellor for their continued support in empowering students to start businesses and become employers of labour.
“Igbinedion University has groomed our students in entrepreneurship theory and practice to confront the challenges of employment and enterprise,” she said.
The exhibition featured innovative student products and business concepts designed to translate learning into sustainable ventures, reinforcing IUO’s commitment to entrepreneurship-driven education.
