NEU Holds First Business, Entrepreneurship, Conference

By Najib Sani, Gombe

The North Eastern University (NEU), Gombe, Gombe State, has hosted its first International Conference on Business, Finance and Entrepreneurship (IBUFINE 2025) in partnership with the Certified Institute of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Education (CIEEE) with a theme "Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development", held at the university hall.

During the conference, experts have advocated for a shift in Nigerian universities' curriculum to focus on innovation, aiming to boost the economy and earn the nation a place of esteem among the community of nations.

The Pro-chancellor of North Eastern University, Gombe, Professor Sani Jauro, stated that the university prioritises conferences alongside classroom lectures to expose students to real-life experiences from experts. 

He mentioned the university's recent partnerships with international universities, including those in Malaysia, and an organisations in China focused on entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Head of Business Administration of the North Eastern University Gombe, Dr Abubakar Aliyu, stated that the conference aimed to instill an entrepreneurial mindset in students, equipping them to address unemployment challenges. 

"By promoting innovation, students can create jobs for themselves. With the university's first graduation approaching next year, the goal is to ensure students secure employment immediately after graduating", he said.

One of the speakers, Professor Nuruddeen Oyekola, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Certified Institute of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Education, emphasised the need for a culture of innovation in Nigeria, lamenting that ministries of science and technology are not doing enough to promote it.

Oyekola said that Nigeria's education system needs a revamp to incorporate innovation and entrepreneurship, starting from primary and secondary schools. 

He advocated for universities and tertiary institutions to focus on creating ventures rather than just teaching entrepreneurship.

Oyekola pointed out that universities and even NYSC camps are training people in entrepreneurship, saying it is too late at that level and hinders innovation breakthroughs.

He added that Nigeria lacks commercialised scientific discoveries or products, with most ending in laboratories due to lack of support from science and technology ministries.

Oyekola recommended guiding students to study disciplines aligned with their natural talents and crafts noting that it would help them succeed and drive innovation.

Another speaker at the conference, Professor Babangida Muhammad Musa of Gombe State University, highlighted the need for Nigerians to develop soft skills to thrive in the industrial revolution era. 

Musa stressed that incorporating entrepreneurship mindset into all discipline curricula is crucial for Nigeria's growth.

He recommended the adoption of project-based learning in universities, where students develop critical thinking and present innovative solutions and encouraged collaboration across departments to solve complex issues and promote innovation.

"Even in the AI era, be innovative to learn how to man the AI so that it will not take over your job. If you develop yourself beyond the AI, then you become the master of the AI, and industries will look for you", he advised.

Musa also advised universities to be inviting industry captains to share their experiences with students, providing valuable insights into entrepreneurship and critical skills.