By Sharon Emephia
SKICAN Highlights Impactful Development Initiatives at 2026 Annual Gathering, Reaffirms Commitment to Nigeria–South Korea Partnership…Smart Start 2.0 empowers university student entrepreneurs, as association extends CSR interventions to Cross River, Katsina and Edo States.
The South Korea International Cooperation Agency Alumni Association in Nigeria (SKICAN) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainable development, entrepreneurship, knowledge transfer and community impact through strategic partnerships between Nigeria and the Republic of Korea.
The President of SKICAN, OBOH JOSEPH, Esq., made this known during the Association’s 2026 Annual Alumni Gathering held in Abuja.
In his opening remarks, Oboh described the annual gathering as an opportunity to reflect on the association’s journey, recognise collective achievements, renew commitments and envision greater possibilities for the future.
He noted that SKICAN was founded on the principle that exposure to new knowledge, innovative systems, diverse cultures and effective problem-solving approaches could equip individuals to transform their institutions, communities and the nation.
According to him, the various capacity-building opportunities facilitated by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have equipped Nigerian professionals with valuable knowledge, experience and perspectives that continue to contribute to public service, institutional development, entrepreneurship and national progress.
The SKICAN President emphasised that the Association’s responsibility extended beyond celebrating the opportunities its members had received to demonstrating their value through measurable development
He highlighted the Association’s
achievements during the year, in collaboration with KOICA, JIIPC and SMEDAN. Oboh identified the KOICA–SKICAN Capstone Project which includes Smart Start 2.0: Digital Business and Intellectual Property (IP) Skills for University Student Entrepreneurs as one of its notable initiatives explaining that the project was designed to equip student entrepreneurs in higher institutions of Bingham University, Nasarawa and University of Abuja respectively with essential digital business competencies, intellectual property knowledge and practical skills to develop, protect and grow their entrepreneurial ideas.
Oboh stressed that young Nigerians required more than academic qualifications to succeed in today’s competitive economy, noting that digital competencies, business knowledge, mentorship and an enabling environment were essential to transforming innovative ideas into viable enterprises.
Beyond entrepreneurship and capacity building, the SKICAN President disclosed that the Association had also implemented various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at improving community welfare in school hygiene support interventions in Cross River and Katsina States as part of the association’s efforts to promote healthy learning environments and support the well-being of schoolchildren,it also successfully implemented a personal hygiene intervention and a solar power project in Edo State along with the weekly Podcast interviews with members to share their experiences and impact at home.
He noted that the initiatives were practical expressions of the Association’s belief that the knowledge and experiences acquired through international cooperation should translate into tangible benefits for individuals, institutions and communities.
While expressing satisfaction with the Association’s progress, Oboh maintained that its achievements should serve as a foundation for greater accomplishments rather than an endpoint.
He called for meaningful and sustained collaboration among SKICAN members, government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to expand the Association’s reach and strengthen the impact of its programmes .
In his remarks, the Country Director of KOICA, Mr. Kim Eunsub, Country Director of KOICA said the theme is a reflection on 9ne of the most remarkable development journey in modern history and South Korea’s transformation from aid recipient into a global development partner adding that with the establishment of KOICA in 1991 and joining the QECD Development Assistance Committee in 2010 proves that international aid when paired with National Commitment and strategic planning
lays a foundation for everlasting progress.
He explained that Korean experience teaches that the true value of assistance lies not only in the resources given but in the knowledge, skills and opportunities it unlocks
He stated further that the core principles remain universal, investing in people, strengthening Institutions,embracing innova and holding on to long term vision assuring of KOICA commitment to human capacity development in Nigeria.
He called on the Association to continue to play a critical role in ensuring that Aid truly becomes an advantage when a country adapts global lessons to 8ts own reality,strengthen local capacity and turns knowledge into action adding that the members responsibility extends beyond earning a degree or certificate.
He commended the Alumni for bringing together so many talented Nigerians who have leveraged capacity building opportunities in the Republic of Korea to actively drive development across Nigeria and for the Association’s various projects as well as professional engagements while showcasing how international cooperation is productive at home.
The Colouful Annual event featured 2026 year report to review the Association’s activities, achievements and progress , to promote knowledge exchange and exposing members to relevant institutional experiences, through Institutional spotlight on The international Rice Research Institue( IRRI) by Dr. Jaesung Lee ,sharing insights on the institution’s work, unveiling of the SKICAN Magazine, testimonial and knowledge sharing session by the 2026 beneficiary of KOICA supported training, introduction of new members,presentation of prizes to winners and participants of SKICAN Essay Competition which provided members to demonstrate their written abilities, analytical skills and understanding of issues relevant to the Association’s development objectives and continued partnership with KOICA.
The Annual gathering played host to dignitaries from Government institutions such as Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, SMEDAN, Tertiary Education Commission ( TEC) among Others.