Brief History of the College
The College of Entrepreneurial and Development Studies (formerly, College of Management Sciences, COLMAS) was established in 2011 following the Directive of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, to all specialised Federal Universities to diversify their academic programmes to enhance access to higher education in the country. The Management of the University set in motion the machinery for needed compliance.
Management subsequently constituted an appropriate committee of academics and professionals in the fields of Management Sciences, Law, and Medicine to develop strategic and academic briefs to aid the establishment of the College of Management Sciences, Law, and Medicine, respectively. The College of Management Sciences was established with the following Departments that constitute respective degree programmes. These programmes have been accredited by National University Commission (NUC)
- Accounting
- Banking and Finance
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Entrepreneurial Studies
The college admitted students into all the five programmes from 2011/2012 to 2016/2017 Academic Session. However, in 2017/2018 Academic Session, the college ceased to admit students into all the programmes following the pronouncement of the then Minister of Education, based on the discussions at a Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting, that ‘Management Science is not related to the core mandate of Agriculture.’
Since there was no circular on the pronouncement, the Entrepreneurial Studies programme was assumed delisted from the website of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) along with the other management science programmes. The spirited efforts of FUNAAB Management under the leadership of Prof. Felix Kolawole Salako to relist and restore all the programmes revealed that Entrepreneurial Studies was not delisted. The cheering news spurred the university administration to embark on measures that would actualise admission of fresh students into the Department of Entrepreneurial Studies. The measures included the introduction of degree options under Entrepreneurial Studies, housing of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme, which hitherto was domiciled in COLAMRUD, as well as the introduction of new programmes that are in tandem with Development Studies. It was in line with these measures that Senate, at its sitting on October 4, 2021, approved the change of the name of the college to College of Entrepreneurial and Development Studies (COLENDS).
General Philosophy of the College
The general philosophy is to develop the mind, impacting both theoretical and practical knowledge to enable the individual to develop self-confidence, with the aim of being innovative and self-reliant in the field of Management Sciences.
Mission of the College
To support and advance teaching, learning and research activities in Management Sciences in the University by placing appropriate priority on relevance of curriculum to immediate environment and stakeholders, industry and national policies.
Vision
To build a College that will comprise individuals committed to the mission and values of FUNAAB and imbued with the highest ethos of academic discipline and excellence and to produce graduates able to compete with the products of high ranking Universities in the world.
