Entrepreneurship Education and Training: Afe Babalola University Providing a Paradigm Shift in the Training of Entrepreneurs in Nigerian Universities

Abstract

Entrepreneurship education has been taught in varied methods by different nations with varied levels of success. The Nigeria National Universities’ Commission introduced entrepreneurship education as a compulsory course for all students in Nigerian universities to prepare graduates to be self employed. The objective has not been achieved due to many factors identified. AfeBabalola University (ABUAD) introduced a shift. Personal interview method was used. Forty six lecturers from private and public universities and five hundred and thirty fresh graduates from various higher institutions in Nigeria were interviewed. The study found that ABUAD understood that, entrepreneurship is both art and science requiring the practical ways of doing things and making use of underlying organized body of knowledge. ABUAD therefore shifted away from the traditional method of teaching entrepreneurship in Nigerian educational institutions by using a variety of teaching methods in classrooms, laboratories and enterprise centers. It expanded entrepreneurship by breaking it into five distinct programmes that are adequately funded and supported by dedicated Infrastructure which are located at distinct centres. Certified professionals were employed to man the centres. It was recommended that for entrepreneurship education to be successful, the cooperation of all stakeholders in education and the employers of labouris required.