Turn economic challenges to opportunities, Egbewole urges PG students
By Abubakar Abdulquadri and Muizdeen Adewole
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has urged postgraduate students of the University to embrace strategic entrepreneurship as a means of tackling unemployment and driving national development amid Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Prof. Egbewole gave the charge penultimate Saturday (July 11, 2026), while declaring open the maiden Postgraduate Entrepreneurship Lecture organised by the Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre (TEC) in collaboration with the Centre for Internationalisation and Strategic Partnership (CISP).
The virtual lecture, held via Google Meet, was themed “Strategic Entrepreneurship in Nigeria: Thriving Through Uncertainty, Constraints and Opportunities.”
The Vice Chancellor, who was the Chief Host, said the rapidly evolving global economy demands graduates who are not only academically sound but also capable of identifying opportunities, creating value and building resilient enterprises.
According to him, “The University’s commitment to entrepreneurship education aligns with our vision of producing globally competitive, solution-oriented and self-reliant graduates who can thrive despite challenging business environments.”
Prof. Egbewole specifically commended the TEC, the CISP, and the Postgraduate School for initiating the lecture series. He expressed optimism that the programme would become a platform for intellectual engagement, innovation and enterprise development.
Earlier, the Director of TEC and host of the programme, Prof. U. A. Raheem, explained that the lecture was designed to bridge the gap between academic research and practical enterprise.
Prof. Raheem assured participants that the Centre would sustain the initiative through mentorship clinics, industry partnerships and funding linkages to help students transform innovative ideas into viable businesses.
“Our goal is to ensure that postgraduate research does not end on library shelves but translates into businesses that create jobs, solve societal problems and contribute to national growth,” he said.
Delivering the Keynote Address, Dr Juliet Osuji of North Carolina A&T State University, USA, challenged students to view Nigeria’s socio-economic realities as opportunities for innovation rather than barriers to success.
Dr Osuji noted that despite the country’s economic challenges, including inflation, policy uncertainty, exchange-rate volatility, high transportation costs, inadequate infrastructure and limited access to finance, Nigerian entrepreneurs have remained resilient and adaptable.
She said, “Successful entrepreneurs focus on solving problems instead of complaining about prevailing circumstances. Strategic entrepreneurship is about pursuing opportunities while building sustainable competitive advantage under conditions of uncertainty.”
The scholar cited Point-of-Sale (POS) businesses, ride-hailing platforms, renewable energy solutions and digital logistics services as examples of ventures that emerged from gaps created by economic and infrastructural constraints.
Dr Osuji outlined five key principles for entrepreneurial success: building strong networks, starting small while learning quickly, transforming constraints into opportunities, cultivating trust, and remaining adaptable to changing market conditions, government policies and technological advancements.
She further urged postgraduate students to acquire competencies in Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, digital marketing, communication and leadership, while building professional networks and safeguarding their reputation.
The entrepreneurship expert also called on universities to strengthen entrepreneurship education by providing practical skills, mentorship opportunities and stronger industry linkages.
“Rather than asking what is wrong with Nigeria, we must continually ask what opportunities each challenge presents,” she said, stressing that innovation, resilience, trust and adaptability remain the foundations of sustainable entrepreneurial success.
The lecture attracted scholars and postgraduate students from different parts of the world. Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Director of the CISP, Prof. Lateef Onireti Ibraheem, and Prof. Foluke Eunice Sola-Ojo of the Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin.
