Last Updated on November 15, 2026 by Olasunkanmi Olajide
By Olasunkanmi Olajide & Olatoye Sanusi
The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has commenced a five-week entrepreneurial training programme for the 100-Level students, as part of efforts to institutionalise entrepreneurial education, promote practical skills acquisition and prepare undergraduates for self-reliance beyond graduation.
The training, organised by the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (CENTS), officially began today, November 12, 2026, marking the commencement of a structured skills-development initiative designed to complement students’ academic learning with practical competencies.
Speaking on the initiative to FUNAAB Bulletin , the Director of CENTS, Prof. Sakiru Akinbode, disclosed that the programme was part of a broader institutional framework that followed a proposal presented to the University Senate in November 2025, which led to the formal adoption of entrepreneurial education and vocational training as an integral component of the FUNAAB academic experience.
Prof. Akinbode expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, and the University Management for their support, guidance and commitment to the successful implementation of the Centre’s programmes. He also acknowledged the University’s Governing Council for approving the initiatives and operational framework required to facilitate the training.
According to him, the programme directly advances the mandate of CENTS to equip students with entrepreneurial knowledge, practical skills and the capacity to identify and explore income-generating opportunities.
He explained that the current semester’s training schedule covers both 100-Level and 200-Level students, with the former attending practical sessions on Thursdays and the latter on Wednesdays.
The Director emphasised that the overarching objective was to ensure that FUNAAB graduates possessed not only recognised academic qualifications but also marketable vocational skills that would enable them to become employers of labour, self-employed entrepreneurs and financially independent individuals.
With approximately 24 vocational skills currently available at CENTS, Prof. Akinbode encouraged students to take full advantage of the opportunities by identifying at least one area of interest and developing proficiency in it.
He further disclosed that the training would be complemented by advanced holiday programmes, mentorship and follow-up apprenticeship opportunities to consolidate students’ competencies and encourage continuous learning beyond the initial training period.
In a further demonstration of the Centre’s commitment to practical entrepreneurship, the fashion design equipment have been made available for students’ use at a token rental fee of ₦500. The arrangement is intended to enable students to undertake commercial jobs, develop their entrepreneurial portfolios and generate income even before completing their studies.
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