By Remi Johnson
In a bid to building local talents for national economic boost, the Federal Capital Territory Education Secretariat in collaboration with Brunel University of London has began moves to inculcate innovative entrepreneurial mindset in the Nigerian students.
The Concept tagged ” Brunel -FCT Innovation Challenge” is designed to empower educators with the right knowledge to enable them mentor and equip students to become problem- solvers in their local communities towards tackling Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
Director FCT Science and Technology, Mr Olobashola Kolawole, said the initiative would broaden the horizon of the students to become critical- thinkers, great problem solvers that would make them self reliant, leading to their financial freedom.
He also hinted that arrangement for soft loans between #100 thousand to 5million naira were on ground for those with entrepreneur ideas to unlock their potentials for commercialization, thereby creating unlimited opportunities for the teaming populace.
“Before, none of this our schools is teaching entrepreneurship, and an entrepreneurial knowledge is for all capacity, (all ages.) Including those retiring. So, we try to inculcate it into the syllabus. Putting the knowledge garnered into Entreprenuring.
“We have been to UK three times to gather knowledge on international best practices…Those people that are involved in this FCT- Brunel innovation entrepreneurship challenge are expected to open up a company.
“Everybody will be relevant now. People will not be roaming the streets looking for what to do. Because you can now harvest your knowledge and your products.” Kolawole said.
Speaking on the impact of the partnership, the Principal of Government Secondary School Kubwa, Mr Musa Nuhu Zuru said the entrepreneurship initiative has started yeilding positive results in the students, in the area of turning waste to wealth, using orange peel for mosquito repellant, and other locally sourced materials for other products that could be commercialized.
Mr Musa who pointed out that part of the 21st century demand is the ability for people to developed creative ability , said the students were now equipped with the ability to solve problems and the ability to collaborate to achieve set goals.
“The problem our schools are facing is the ability to put into practice what we learn in the classroom. Not just having that creative ability, but putting it into practice. Now, students are doing things by themselves. They try to solve the immediate problem that is facing their communities ” Musa said.
In a paper presentation, A professor from Brunel Business School London, Ainurul Rosil , assured that the partnership would leverage on technology to foster innovative thinking to tackle issues such as climate change, pollution, food waste, conversion of waste to wealth and security.
Professor Rosli explained that the training of students on the entrepreneurship innovation challenge would begin from January to March, for the students to work as a team in the group of five, towards Promoting shared experiences that will shape their mindset to become future problem solvers and innovators.
Professor Rosli listed intermediary partners that Brunel University will be working closely with in the course of this project to include banks, government agencies and Abuja Chamber of Commerce; and expressed optimism that they will give the students the needed support in their drive to proferring solution to the challenges around their communities.
“Hopefully, during the pitch session ege the students are going to share ideas that relate to solving bt he problem of Abuja, we hope that some of these ideas could actually be commercialized with support from these entitiesthat we have met.
” Brunel is about building an ecosystem an I think our role here is make sure that together we can collaborate to enhance the ecosystem… and get the children unlock their potentials.
” There are many amazing and gifted children un Nigeria. I see them with my eyes, and all we need to do is to provide them with the support. Ideas on its own will not solve problems, but ideas adopted, supported, and mentored is what we want to do.
“Our collaboration with the FCT Secondary Education Board and the FCT Department of Science, Technology, and innovation is designed to empower educators and students to develop solutions that benefit their communities and contribute to a sustainable future.
“The Brunel- FCT Innovation Challenge is, a pivotal initiative in cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset, enabling young Nigerians to think critically about these challenges and become proactive problem solvers” Rosli said.