Former Nigerian Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has called on the government to prioritize entrepreneurship, industrialization, and infrastructure development as key strategies for sustainable job creation and economic growth.
Speaking at the 20th Anniversary Public Lecture of Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State, with the theme:
“The Reality of Our Time: Harnessing Human Capital, Technology, and Values for a Sustainable Future,”
Ezekwesili emphasized the urgent need to reduce barriers to business creation by streamlining registration processes, lowering start-up taxes, and improving access to finance for young entrepreneurs.
Unlocking Economic Growth Through Entrepreneurship
As a former Vice President of the World Bank, Ezekwesili advocated for:
Expansion of venture capital funding to support youth-led enterprises in agriculture, technology, and renewable energy.
Development of innovation hubs to foster creativity and business growth.
Leveraging the gig economy through digital platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Andela, and Flutterwave to create more opportunities for Nigerian youth.
Industrialization & Infrastructure: The Pillars of Job Creation
To achieve long-term economic sustainability, Ezekwesili stressed the importance of large-scale industrialization and infrastructure development.
She urged the government to:
✔ Invest in critical infrastructure such as power, transportation, and digital connectivity to boost productivity across multiple sectors.
✔ Create Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and innovation parks to attract investment in agribusiness, fintech, and renewable energy industries.
Transforming Education for the Future Workforce
Ezekwesili also called for a revolution in higher education, shifting from traditional, theory-based learning to skills-driven education that focuses on:
Critical thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship.
Integrating digital skills, AI literacy, and emerging technologies into university curricula.
Strengthening academia-industry partnerships to ensure graduates have practical, job-ready skills.
A Call to Action for Sustainable Development
Speaking earlier at the event, Professor Shadrach Akindele, Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, described the university’s 20th Anniversary as a reflection of its achievements in academics, spirituality, and scientific research.
He noted that the theme of the lecture was not just an intellectual discussion but a call to action, emphasizing the need for practical steps toward harnessing human capital and technology for a sustainable future.
Ezekwesili’s message was clear: For Nigeria to create meaningful jobs and drive economic transformation, entrepreneurship, industrialization, and innovation must be at the heart of its policies.
