Eniola Jolaoso
The House of Representatives has taken a bold Step to tackle workforce deficiency in Nigeria .
In a move to revolutionize the country’s workforce, the House has passed the second reading of a bill to establish Entrepreneur University in Ibile-Ikorodu area,Lagos State ,which is said to create opportunities for a skilled and empowered future generation.
This bill which was however moved by its members representing Ikorodu and Ajeromi/Ifelodun Federal Constituencies, Lagos State, Babajimi Benson, and Paul Kalejaiye, was introduced and first read in the lower Chamber of the National Assembly on June 30, 2024.
They explained further that the initiative is aimed to establish mechanisms for enhancing entrepreneurial learning and tapping into youth creativity.
Honourable Jimi Benson while addressing Journalists at National Assembly Complex on Thursday, indicated that the creation of the institution will bring about improvement in the nation’s economy, eradicate unemployment, and create more job opportunities in the country.
According to him “Nigeria, with its vast and youthful population, is endowed with immense potential for economic growth and development. However, to harness this potential, there is a need for specialized institutions that focus on equipping our young men and women with the skills, knowledge, and mindset required to become successful entrepreneurs.
This Institute will equip students with essential skills to establish and maintain viable businesses, thereby mitigating unemployment and fostering economic expansion.
Meanwhile , Honourable Kalejaiye complained bitterly about the failure of standard universities to tackle the needs of workforce in today’s era.
According to him, “our conventional universities have turned out graduates some of who are not employable. Nobody will employ you today without knowing what you have upstairs. We have moved into an era of entrepreneurial development”
“We are in an era where nobody should leave the university and be looking for a white-collar job because they are no longer there. So, we need a specialised university like the Ibile Entrepreneurial University which will train students from their first year to their final year on entrepreneurial development” He added.
Still Speaking , Honourable Kalejaiye revealed their major focus in establishing this institution
“We are looking at a university that will address skill acquisition, address the issue of self-employment in terms of training in commerce, industry, and others and people will come out of the university and start from scratch to set up something and become employers of labour”He concluded.
The House of Representatives is set to hold a public hearing on the bill as it seeks valuable input from stakeholders before its third and final reading.