A total of one hundred and ten (110) academic and non-teaching staff of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have successfully completed the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Training Programme (Batch Two) of the Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre (ESDC), UNILAG.
On Monday, August 18, 2025, a colourful graduation ceremony was held at the UNILAG/BOI Incubation Hub to celebrate the budding entrepreneurs. The gathering drew a prestigious crowd which included the University Management team led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS.
Delivering a keynote address on Skill Set to Start-Up: Launching Your Entrepreneurial Journey, Professor Ogunsola congratulated the participants on their achievements. She encouraged them to turn their skills into wealth-creating ventures beyond monthly salaries and to build financial cushions for the future.
The Vice-Chancellor further urged the graduates to stay resilient in the face of challenges, remain responsive to market trends, and identify a Unique Selling Point (USP) that would distinguish them in competitive business spaces.
Similarly, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Foluso E. A. Lesi, in his goodwill message, advised graduating to keep an open mind, embrace innovation, and leverage their training to launch ventures that will stand out in their fields.
In his presentation on Building a Business Model: From Concept to Market, Director of ESDC, Professor Sunday Adebisi, emphasised the importance of following one’s passion and effective time management. He identified five elements of human potential as the foundations of entrepreneurial success: hobbies, talents, discipline, interests, and likes.
According to him, vision, creativity, passion, hard work, risk-taking, and persistence are key qualities of successful entrepreneurs.
Other speakers at the event included:
- Dr. Elohor Katherine Idolor , a financial expert, who delivered a session on “Financial Fundamentals for Start-ups.” She stressed the importance of record-keeping, understanding costs, sales, and customer acquisition, and maintaining strong financial management to attract investors.
- Dr. Oladimeji Olatunde (Faculty of Management Sciences, UNILAG), who spoke on Mastering Brand Identity: Crafting a Compelling Brand for Your Business. He highlighted colour, sound, taste/smell, and emotional connection as vital elements of effective branding. He urged participants to create unique and appealing brand identities.
- Dr. Rahim Ajao Ganiyu, who discussed Marketing Tools and Strategies for a Successful Enterprise, encouraged entrepreneurs to combine online tools such as social media with offline methods like networking. He stressed the need for consistency, creativity, and audience understanding as the keys to growth.
The ESDC training (Batch Two) equipped participants with practical skills while fostering entrepreneurial mind-sets and alternative income opportunities, in the following key areas:
- Food and confectionaries.
- Solar energy.
- Pattern drafting and tailoring.
- Fabric and textiles.
- Household essentials.
- Interior decoration.
The debut ESDC-UNILAG Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Training for UNILAG staff members ended with a closing ceremony on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. It had a total of 50 participants who were trained in 4 (four) key areas: Production of Household Chemicals, Food and Confectioneries, Up-cycling as well as Textile and Design.
A key component of the University’s Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Business Incubation Certification (EIBIC) programme, the initiative helps staff to develop and manage sustainable business ventures.
The ESDC-UNILAG Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Training Programme is a reflection of UNILAG’s commitment to equipping staff and students with entrepreneurial skills. It is also in line with the University’s agenda to nurture innovative thinkers, job creators, and leaders of enterprise.
Report: Ojo-Alo Oluwatoyin
Photograph: Akanni Islamiat
