In a strategic move to reposition its entrepreneurship education, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, is set to deepen its curriculum through a new partnership with the German Development Agency, GIZ COPA under the Integrated Curriculum for Skills and Startups (ICSS) initiative.

Receiving a delegation from GIZ COPA at the University, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, underscored the urgent need to shift from conventional academic models to skill-based learning that promotes self-reliance and innovation among students.

“Graduates must begin to see themselves not just as job seekers, but as job creators,” Professor Sulaiman declared.

“This is why entrepreneurship must be at the heart of our academic direction. Through initiatives like ICSS and support from agencies like GIZ, we are laying the foundation for a more empowered generation.”

The Vice Chancellor also disclosed that IBBUL had recently received a TETFund intervention dedicated to entrepreneurship development, with projects such as a University Bakery and Table Water production unit designed to offer hands on experience for students and staff.

In his remarks Mr. Pike Bruns, a representative of GIZ COPA, reiterated the Agency’s commitment to strengthening entrepreneurship education across Nigerian universities.

He said the ICSS curriculum was developed to provide practical business knowledge that goes beyond theory, enabling students to launch viable startups even before graduation.

“We see ICSS as a long-term investment. By collaborating with institutions like IBBUL, we hope to inspire a shift in how universities prepare their graduates not just for the labour market, but for leadership in business and innovation,” Bruns noted

Also speaking, the Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development, Professor Idris Ndagi, welcomed the partnership as a timely intervention that aligns with the University’s vision. He expressed optimism that the collaboration would enrich the University’s academic offerings and enhance students’ readiness for the dynamic Nigerian economy.

“The ICSS team has shown strong interest in returning for follow-up engagements. We’ve requested their curriculum modules, which will soon be shared with our lecturers and relevant departments to kick-start the next phase of integration,” Professor Ndagi revealed.

The ICSS initiative, supported by GIZ, is designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and entrepreneurial practice, offering students the tools to build sustainable businesses from local opportunities. The partnership with IBBUL is expected to significantly boost the University’s capacity to produce self-sufficient graduates who contribute meaningfully to national development.