Mr. Christopher Uwakwe, a lecturer at Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI), Enugu, has earned international recognition by becoming the first STEP-S Master Trainer in West Africa. His achievement comes under the Students Training for Entrepreneurial Promotion – Sustainability (STEP-S) initiative, a four-year international project running from 2024 to 2027.
What is STEP-S?
STEP-S is a collaborative project between:
- Godfrey Okoye University (Nigeria)
- Leuphana University (Germany)
- Mount Kenya University (Kenya)
- University of Venda (South Africa)
Funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the initiative aims to integrate sustainable entrepreneurship principles into academic programs across Africa, focusing on tackling unemployment and encouraging innovation in the Global South.
Uwakwe’s Journey and Achievements
Mr. Uwakwe earned the Master Trainer certification from Prof. Michael Gielnik of Leuphana University, represented by Ms. Janina Peschmann, during a ceremony at Mount Kenya University. His recognition follows an impressive track record of training and leadership:
- Led the STEP-S Train-the-Trainer (TTT) Workshop in March 2025 at Mount Kenya University, where he trained 12 faculty members.
- Participated in numerous international Train-the-Trainer workshops, research conferences, and academic exchanges in Germany, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa.
- Represented GOUNI in South Africa in February 2025 to help onboard the University of Venda’s faculty in STEP-S implementation.
His contributions made him the first certified STEP-S Master Trainer in West Africa, just one year after the project’s launch.
Celebrations and Institutional Support
Rev. Fr. Prof. Christian Anieke, the Vice-Chancellor of GOUNI, celebrated Uwakwe’s milestone, praising his hard work and dedication, and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to promoting sustainable entrepreneurship.
Uwakwe, while accepting the award, highlighted the team’s efforts in using entrepreneurship to mitigate unemployment by empowering students at secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate (MSc & PhD) levels.
Project Milestones at GOUNI Under Uwakwe’s Leadership:
- Empowered 80 student teachers with entrepreneurial training.
- Provided interest-free startup capital for student-led sustainable business ideas.
- Trained two staff at international PhD research workshops.
- Certified 12 faculty members via STEP-S Train-the-Trainer programs.
Uwakwe’s achievement represents a significant step in positioning Nigerian institutions as leaders in entrepreneurial education and sustainability across Africa.
