The Kwara State Government has concluded a 3-Day Entrepreneurship Capacity Building Training for 100 student entrepreneurs selected from various tertiary institutions across the state in a bid to bridge the gap between academic innovation and commercial scalability.
The intensive programme, which ran from Monday, April 27, to Wednesday, April 29, 2026, was organized through the Office of the Special Assistant on Students’ Affairs, Hon. Salami Wasiu Onidugbe under the visionary leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The training, held at House 12, Onikanga, GRA, Ilorin, provided a comprehensive curriculum covering branding, export preparedness, tax compliance, and business formalization.
In his welcome address, the Special Assistant on Students’ Affairs, Hon. Salami Wasiu Onidugbe noted that the programme was conceived to empower students with the practical skills and strategic knowledge required to thrive in a competitive economy.
“Our goal is simple which is to move our young entrepreneurs from ideas to income, from hustle to structure, and from small beginnings to scalable enterprises,” Onidugbe stated. He recalled that the government had previously awarded grants of up to ₦1,000,000 to student entrepreneurs during the 2025 International Students’ Day Expo.
Over the course of three days, participants were engaged by top-tier facilitators from both the public and private sectors.
Day 1 Focused on Business Branding and market understanding, led by experts such as Mr. Owojaiye Olushola Oladapo and Dr. Sheriff Akanji Ibrahim (GOLD).
Day 2 Featured Mr. Folarin Tiamiyu (Regional Head, NEXIM BANK) on Export Preparedness and Dr. Muhammed Kamaldeen Usman on crafting fundable business plans.
While Day 3 covered formalization with Mr. Adeoti Babatunde (Head of CAC Kwara), tax education with Mrs. Hawa Oluwakemi Ahmed (KWiRS), and investor pitching with Amb. Dr. Janet Tayo Faremi, CEO Ambassador Stores.
The highlight of the grand finale was the presentation of industrial gadgets and machinery to the top five participants who excelled during the business idea pitching sessions. The awards were presented by the Kwara Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Ndanusa Usman Shehu, and the Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade.
The winners included: Muhammed Selimat (Kwara Poly) who won Tripod and LED Light Gadgets, Dorcas Oloha (UNILORIN) won Slicer Machine, Saka Shehu Olayinka (Al-Hikmah University) won Cassava Processing Machine, Ayantola Aishat (UNILORIN) won Industrial Sewing Machine and Adeshina Aishat Adenike (Health Tech, Offa) won Slicer Machine.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Ndanusa Usman Shehu commended Governor AbdulRazaq for prioritizing youth productivity.
“Kwara is building a future where our youths are partners in development. I urge you all to put these skills and equipment into practical use for the progress of our state,” he said.
The event concluded with the symbolic presentation of certificates to all 100 participants, marking a new chapter for student-led businesses in Kwara State.
Top govt officials who also graced the event includes SSA on Communication to Kwara Governor, Hon. Ibraheem Abdullateef Akolu, Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, KWASIPP GM Hon. Tejidini, Youth Leaders, Student Union Leaders, among others.