The OKOBI Students Club is an innovative initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical entrepreneurship for students in Imo State. This forward-thinking program serves as a dynamic training hub where students can develop essential entrepreneurial skills alongside their academic pursuits. By empowering students with the tools and support they need, OKOBI encourages the creation of student-run group business ventures that focus on sustainable economic growth.
Despite Imo State having the highest literacy rates in Nigeria, with an impressive 96.43% literacy rate overall and 83.5% for women, the state faces a significant employment challenge. In 2020, it was reported that Imo had the highest unemployment rate in Nigeria at 48.7%. The paradox lies in the fact that the state produces a large number of university graduates, yet many struggle to find jobs, highlighting a mismatch between educational output and economic opportunities.
This disconnect is due, in part, to a long-standing reliance on civil service jobs and a limited number of large companies. With fewer than ten companies in the state employing over 250 people, many graduates find themselves unprepared for a market that cannot absorb their talents. This cycle of educated unemployment has been further exacerbated by an economy that lacks adequate entrepreneurial infrastructure and opportunities.
In response to these challenges, the Imo State Government has prioritized strategies to drive industrialization, promote the digital economy, encourage skills acquisition, and foster job creation. One such initiative is the One Kindred, One Business Initiative (OKOBI), which aims to create economic opportunities by encouraging community-based, group entrepreneurship.
Launched in 2023, OKOBI calls on social groups, such as kindreds, town unions, and community clubs, to establish and operate viable businesses. By decentralizing entrepreneurship and embedding it within local community structures, OKOBI promotes collective ownership, economic inclusion, and sustainability. To date, the initiative has led to the creation of over 350 businesses and more than 9,000 jobs for Imo residents, positioning it as a transformative model for economic development.
Recognizing the importance of youth engagement in shaping the future, OKOBI is now taking steps to target university students directly through the establishment of OKOBI Student Clubs. These clubs are designed to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset among undergraduates, preparing them to create jobs rather than simply seek them. Through this proactive approach, students are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and networks to launch their own businesses before or upon graduation.
The OKOBI Students Club thrives on the philosophy of “Igwe bu ike” (Unity is Strength), emphasizing peer networks and early mentorship. By fostering collaborative ventures, students are encouraged to turn their academic experiences and friendships into impactful business ventures. The club aims to equip students with the ability to leverage available resources and transform challenges into viable, sustainable business solutions — a crucial step toward tackling youth unemployment in Imo State.
This initiative is more than a response to the unemployment crisis; it’s an investment in the future of Imo State. By nurturing entrepreneurial talent on university campuses, the OKOBI Students Club is creating a pipeline of innovative, resilient, and community-focused business leaders. These future leaders are poised to transform local challenges into thriving businesses that drive economic and social change.
Members of the OKOBI Students Club will receive guidance from industry professionals through capacity-building sessions, business clinics, and mentorship opportunities. Additionally, they will gain practical experience through internships with businesses aligned with OKOBI, ensuring they acquire the skills and knowledge needed to build and scale sustainable ventures. The Office of the Chief Economic Adviser plans to secure grants and seed funding from donor agencies and private sector partners to support innovative start-up ideas that show promise and potential.
The OKOBI Students Club has already been launched at Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University (KOMU) in Ideato, Imo State, with plans to expand to other universities across the state. This represents a significant step toward reshaping the future of Imo State, by empowering students to become agents of economic transformation and community-driven development.
We look forward to welcoming more students from across Imo State to join this movement where education meets enterprise and young ideas grow into sustainable group businesses.
