Last Updated on March 9, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
The Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (CENTS), Prof. Sakiru Akinbode held an interactive meeting with Skill Leaders and Facilitators of the Centre as part of efforts to strengthen the operations and activities of the Centre.
The meeting, which took place on March 5, 2026, at the CENTS Board Room, provided a platform for constructive dialogue between the Director and the facilitators responsible for coordinating the various entrepreneurial skills programmes of the Centre. In attendance were 16 Skill Leaders and 10 Facilitators.
The interactive session was organised to enable the Skill Leaders and Facilitators formally interface with the newly appointed Director, while also encouraging them to contribute more actively to the growth and development of the Centre, particularly in supporting its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) initiatives. It also served as an avenue for participants to share ideas, raise concerns, and discuss areas requiring clarification in the execution of their vocational responsibilities.
Addressing the participants, the Director stated that his primary mandate was to move the Centre forward and build on its existing achievements.
The Director, a former Deputy Dean of the College of the Entrepreneurial and Development Studies (COLENDS), encouraged Skill Leaders to continually upgrade their knowledge and professional competencies in order to remain relevant in the rapidly evolving entrepreneurial landscape. He also stressed the growing importance of digital marketing and urged the facilitators to adopt digital tools and platforms in promoting their vocational activities and training programmes.
While acknowledging the significant progress made under the leadership of the immediate past Director, Prof. Emily Ayo-John, he assured participants of his commitment to consolidating the achievements already recorded by the Centre. According to him, the goal was to strengthen and expand the existing framework.
As part of measures to enhance efficiency and accountability, the Director disclosed plans to institutionalise a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team that would assess performance and ensure that activities of the Centre align with its mandate.
He further emphasised the importance of punctuality, diligence, and commitment among the Skill Leaders and Facilitators in the discharge of their responsibilities, noting that these values were critical to the continued growth and success of the Centre.
The meeting concluded with discussions and contributions from participants, who expressed their willingness to support the Director’s vision for advancing entrepreneurship development at the University.
