From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A Professor of Entrepreneurship and Corporate Strategy at the Federal University, Lokoja, John Alabi has called for more investment in the entrepreneurship/innovation sector to tackle Nigeria’s dwindling economy.
Professor Alabi who made the call while delivering the 46th Inaugural Lecture series of the University at its Felele Campus in Lokoja,on Wednesday, also stressed the need for government at all levels to prioritize investment in the sector to take care of the rising unemployment situation in Nigeria.
In his Lecture titled “Entrepreneurship Leadership through Entrepreneurial Education and Empowerment: Building an Entrepreneurial Economy in Vuca World” Professor Alabi advised that governments must provide enabling policies, universities must produce innovative graduates, industries must become active partners, financial institutions must support enterprise growth, and entrepreneurs themselves must embrace continuous learning, resilience, ethical leadership, and technological adaptation.
He explained that through entrepreneurial education and empowerment, nations can transform uncertainty into opportunity and build inclusive, resilient, and globally competitive economies.
“Governments should position entrepreneurship as a national development strategy rather than an employment intervention.
“Align entrepreneurship policies with national industrial and digital transformation agendas and investment in entrepreneurship ecosystems at federal, state, and local government levels.
“Building an entrepreneurial economy in a VUCA world requires more than increasing the number of entrepreneurs; it demands developing entrepreneurial leaders who can envision opportunities amid uncertainty, inspire innovation, mobilize resources, and create sustainable value
Professor Alabi also advocated that universities should focus on producing job creators rather than job seekers, establish functional entrepreneurship centres linked to industry, reward commercialization of research and innovation and encourage faculty-industry collaboration.
Other recommendations advanced by Professor Alabi includes, “Integration of entrepreneurship education across all levels of education, from primary to tertiary institutions.
“Shift from certificate-oriented learning to competency and problem-solving-based education.
“Promotion of interdisciplinary learning combining entrepreneurship, digital technology, leadership, and sustainability.
“Strengthen experiential learning through internships, incubators, business simulations, and enterprise projects.
“Developing a National Entrepreneurial Leadership Policy as well as establishment of a coordinated national framework for entrepreneurial leadership development.
“Encouragement of collaboration among government, academia, industry, and civil society”
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Gbenga Ibileye gave an assurance that his administration would continue to encourage delivery of inaugural Lecture to ensure sustainability in the academic system.
Professor Ibileye said that the essence of the academic tradition is an opportunity for the academic staff to showcase their intellectual capacity in their field of study.
The Vice Chancellor described the topic of the lecture as timely and a welcome development that would go a long way in addressing the current economic reality in Nigeria.
He extolled Professor John Alabi, the Inaugural Lecturer, for his choice of contemporary topic that would add value to the people and the nation at large.
