Education Minister Urges Universities to Drive Innovation, Entrepreneurship
Otamere Gladness 
Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Said Ahmad, has challenged Nigerian universities to transform into centres of innovation, research and entrepreneurship capable of solving the country’s socio-economic challenges.
Speaking on Wednesday at the opening of the 37th General Assembly Conference of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) held at the University of Ilorin, Ahmad said higher education institutions must move beyond their traditional role of awarding degrees.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the minister said the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda places education and human capital development at the centre of national transformation.
She explained that the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) is driving reforms focused on strengthening governance, improving quality assurance, accelerating digital transformation and aligning university education with labour market needs.
“Our universities must go beyond awarding degrees to become engines of research, innovation and entrepreneurship that solve real national problems,” she said.
Ahmad stressed that vice-chancellors have a critical responsibility to strengthen public confidence in the university system through transparency, accountability and prudent management of institutional resources.
She also urged universities to deepen collaboration with industry by expanding internship opportunities and equipping students with practical and entrepreneurial skills needed for the modern economy.
“Our graduates must become creators of value, not just job seekers,” she added.
The minister highlighted student welfare as another priority of the Federal Government, noting that initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) are helping to remove financial barriers preventing qualified students from accessing higher education.
She emphasised that meaningful reform in the education sector would require collaboration among government, university administrators, academics, students, the private sector and communities.
Ahmad commended the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities for organising the conference and praised the University of Ilorin for hosting the event.
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