NCCE flags off national workshop to revamp entrepreneurship centres in Colleges of Education

The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has flagged off a nationwide workshop aimed at enhancing the effective usage of Entrepreneurship Centres in Colleges of Education across Nigeria, with a call for institutions to reposition teacher education as a driver of innovation and national productivity. Speaking at the opening ceremony held in Abuja on […]

The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has flagged off a nationwide workshop aimed at enhancing the effective usage of Entrepreneurship Centres in Colleges of Education across Nigeria, with a call for institutions to reposition teacher education as a driver of innovation and national productivity.

Speaking at the opening ceremony held in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Secretary of NCCE, Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, described the initiative as a strategic intervention to transform entrepreneurship centres into “dynamic platforms for practical learning and innovation.”

“We are gathered here at a defining moment for our nation’s development—one in which education must transcend knowledge transmission to become a driver of innovation, self-reliance, and sustainable economic growth,” Okwelle said.

He emphasized that the establishment of entrepreneurship centres was not enough, stressing that “the true success of this initiative lies not in the creation of these centres alone, but in their effective utilization for skill development and enterprise creation.”

The workshop, which is being conducted across three zonal centres—Abuja, Kano, and Asaba—aims to assess the current state of entrepreneurship centres, share best practices, build capacity, and develop a sustainable roadmap for long-term impact.

“Our objectives for this gathering are clear and actionable. We are here to conduct a candid assessment, build the capacity of our centre coordinators, foster collaboration, and develop a clear, actionable roadmap.”

He urged provosts of colleges to take full ownership of the initiative and “provide the leadership and resources necessary to make entrepreneurship a living, breathing culture within your institutions.”

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Arc. Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFund, Dr. Saadatu Farook Labaran noted that Nigeria’s youth unemployment is at an all-time high, worsened by the country’s import-dependent economy and low industrialization.

“The establishment and optimal utilization of Entrepreneurship Centers within our Colleges of Education is not merely a strategic initiative; but a demonstration of commitment to nurturing a culture of self-reliance, creativity, and sustainable national development,” Labaran said.

She added that TETFund remains committed to supporting the initiative, saying, “We recognise that the future of our nation depends on how well we equip our educators and students with the appropriate tools to thrive in a dynamic global economy.”

The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, also commended the NCCE, stating that entrepreneurship centres must become “functional laboratories of creativity and enterprise” to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The workshop marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to integrate entrepreneurship into teacher education and empower educators as catalysts for economic transformation.