Entrepreneurship Centre
About
The Entrepreneurship Centre at Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) was established to fulfil the institution’s pioneering mandate as Nigeria’s first Entrepreneurship University. Recognising that tomorrow’s economy depends on innovators rather than mere job-seekers, the Centre equips students with hands‑on training, business acumen, and the creative mindset needed to launch and sustain profitable ventures. Located within a purpose-built facility, the Centre offers modern workshops, demonstration labs, incubation spaces, and a small-scale production unit where students can prototype, test, and refine their products before market introduction. Under the guidance of experienced practitioners and academic mentors, each trainee not only masters technical skills but also learns critical aspects of business planning, marketing, quality control, and supply‑chain management.
Mission
To empower JABU graduates with the technical proficiency, business management skills, and innovative spirit needed to become self‑employed, self‑reliant, and highly competent employers of labour.
Vision
To cultivate visionary entrepreneurs who will lead the transformation of local and national economies through sustainable ventures, creative problem‑solving, and ethical leadership in entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Objectives
By deeply integrating technical skill-building with entrepreneurial mindset development, the Entrepreneurship Development Centre at JABU not only prepares graduates to thrive in today’s economy but also to shape the economic landscape of tomorrow, transforming them from job-seekers into job‑creators.
1. Nurture an Entrepreneurial Culture
- Encourage students to “create, make, and innovate” by providing ideation workshops, hackathons, and mentorship programs that foster risk-taking, collaborative problem-solving, and a continuous-improvement mindset.
2. Equip Graduates for Business Creation
- Deliver hands-on training and foundational business education—covering finance, operations, marketing, and legal aspects—so that students can confidently establish, manage, and grow their enterprises upon graduation.
3. Drive Economic Growth and Development
- Through student-led startups and small enterprises, contribute to job creation, import substitution, and value addition within Nigeria’s key economic sectors, thereby reinforcing JABU’s role as a catalyst for regional and national development.
4. Strengthen Industry Linkages
- Forge partnerships with businesses, government agencies, and international development organisations to provide internship opportunities, funding support, and market access, ensuring students’ products meet industry standards and consumer needs.
5. Promote Sustainable and Ethical Practices
- Instil principles of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and ethical entrepreneurship, ensuring that all ventures emerging from the Centre adhere to sustainable resource usage and fair labour practices.
Introduction
In a rapidly evolving global economy, the ability to innovate and create sustainable ventures has become a critical driver of national development and individual prosperity. Recognising this imperative, Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) was conceived as Nigeria’s inaugural Entrepreneurship University—an institution committed not merely to academic excellence, but to cultivating graduates who will stand at the forefront of economic transformation. The Entrepreneurship Centre embodies this vision by serving as the practical heart of JABU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Since its establishment, the Centre has functioned as both an incubator and workshop, where theoretical insights from the classroom are seamlessly integrated with real‑world production, design, and business‑management experiences. Here, students embark on a journey that moves beyond traditional lecture halls: they conceive product ideas, learn technical manufacturing and creative design, and develop the business plans and market strategies essential for launching viable enterprises. With dedicated facilities—ranging from small‑scale production labs to exhibition spaces—the Centre not only fosters individual skill acquisition but also cultivates a collaborative environment where peer mentorship, cross‑disciplinary teamwork, and engagement with industry partners are the norm.
Through this hands‑on approach, the introduction to the Entrepreneurship Centre sets the stage for an immersive training experience: one that prepares JABU graduates to transition from learners to leaders, from job-seekers to job-creators, and from visionaries in the classroom to changemakers in their communities.
Skills Training Programmes
Students rotate through a series of skills modules that blend theory with practice. Upon completion, trainees receive certifications and, where appropriate, seed grants or access to microfinance partners to jumpstart their enterprises.
1. Paint Production
- Curriculum Highlights: Formulation of water-based and oil-based paints; pigment sourcing; viscosity control; environmental and safety standards.
- Entrepreneurial Focus: Cost analysis, packaging design, branding, and identifying target markets in the construction and home decor sectors.
2. Soap Production
- Curriculum Highlights: Cold-process and hot-process methods; use of natural oils, fragrances, and colourants; GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices).
- Entrepreneurial Focus: Regulatory compliance, product differentiation (e.g., herbal, glycerin, exfoliating soaps), and e-commerce marketing strategies.
3. Sanitary & Hygiene Products
- Curriculum Highlights: Manufacture of sanitary pads, reusable cloth pads, liquid hand washes, and sanitisers; hygiene quality standards.
- Entrepreneurial Focus: Social entrepreneurship models, distribution partnerships with schools and clinics, and advocacy for community health.
4. Tie & Dye
- Curriculum Highlights: Traditional and modern resist dye techniques; fabric selection; colour chemistry; pattern development.
- Entrepreneurial Focus: Niche marketing, participating in craft fairs, and leveraging digital platforms for bespoke textile designs.
5. Screen Printing
- Curriculum Highlights: Screen preparation, emulsion coating, ink mixing, multi-colour registration, and curing methods.
- Entrepreneurial Focus: Production for fashion brands, corporate branding (e.g., custom T-shirts), and setting up small print shops.
6. Fashion Design
- Curriculum Highlights: Pattern drafting, garment construction, draping, textile science, and trend forecasting.
- Entrepreneurial Focus: Building a capsule collection, runway showcasing, client consultations, and scaling from bespoke to ready-to-wear.
7. Leather Works – Shoe & Bags Production
- Curriculum Highlights: Leather selection and sourcing, cutting, stitching, finishing techniques, and hardware installation.
- Entrepreneurial Focus: Branding luxury accessories, pricing strategies, and establishing supply chains for raw hides and accessories.
8. Visual Arts
- Curriculum Highlights: Painting (acrylics, oils, watercolours), sculpture, mixed media, and digital art fundamentals.
- Entrepreneurial Focus: Galleries and exhibitions, commission work, art fairs, and online art marketplaces.
9. Knitting Works
- Curriculum Highlights: Hand knitting and machine knitting techniques, yarn selection, pattern creation, and finishing.
- Entrepreneurial Focus: Seasonal fashion lines, craft subscription models, and collaborations with retail boutiques.
10. Hat & Beads
- Curriculum Highlights: Millinery basics, straw and fabric hat construction, beadwork techniques for jewellery and accessories.
- Entrepreneurial Focus: Bridal and event markets, cultural fashion niches, and export opportunities.
11. Hair Dressing/Barbing
- Curriculum Highlights: Cutting and styling techniques for various hair types, colouring, treatment services, and salon hygiene protocols.
- Entrepreneurial Focus: Salon business planning, client retention strategies, and mobile hairdressing services.
12. Confectioneries
- Curriculum Highlights: Bakery basics (breads, pastries), chocolate tempering, cake decoration, and packaging.
- Entrepreneurial Focus: Seasonal product launches, corporate catering, online order fulfilment, and quality assurance.
Staff List
Phone
07062900818