The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has announced that the Federal Government will expand the Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Business Incubation Certification (EIBIC) to all federal universities by next year.
Speaking at the TETFUND EIBIC launch in Abuja on Friday, Alausa stated that the programme is currently being implemented in 14 universities, with plans to include all federal universities, as well as selected polytechnics and colleges of education by next year. He added that by the end of 2028, every federal tertiary institution will be fully integrated into the initiative.
Alausa highlighted that EIBIC is structured and multi-level, exposing students to progressive skill development from their first year through to the final stages, which involve mentorship, business probation, and venture creation. The programme is designed to provide practical, real-world experience rather than purely theoretical instruction.
Describing EIBIC as a live experience that fosters innovation and tangible impact, the minister noted that the programme helps reduce youth unemployment, stimulate creativity, support enterprise development, and encourage problem-solving skills across Nigeria.
He also referenced the Student Venture Capital Grant, launched in December, which provides ₦50 million to support student innovators from both private and public institutions nationwide, helping them scale their ventures.
The initiative aims to empower young entrepreneurs, strengthen innovation, and enhance the role of education in Nigeria’s economic growth and inclusive development. The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has already conducted the EIBIC Programme for all 100 and 200-level students in its Distance Learning Institute for the 2025/2026 academic session, selecting 65 innovators from 30,639 applicants for the Student Venture Capital Grant
