A German scholar has charged Nigerian universities to move beyond theoretical classroom learning and adopt a more practical, industry-driven approach to entrepreneurship education if the country hopes to address rising graduate unemployment. Prof. Harald von Korflesch of the University of Koblenz, Germany, made this call during a two-day international conference on Academic Entrepreneurship, Knowledge and Technology Transfer for Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, held in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Korflesch noted that while entrepreneurship courses have become common across many higher institutions in Nigeria, there remains a significant gap in implementation, industry linkage, and funding. He argued that entrepreneurship education should not be treated merely as another academic subject but as a professional discipline that equips students with the competencies needed to create businesses and jobs.
The scholar emphasized the need for a more structured and well-managed system that connects universities with industry players. Such collaboration, he said, would expose students to real-world entrepreneurial experiences and improve learning outcomes. He questioned the extent to which professional entrepreneurs are involved in teaching entrepreneurship in universities, suggesting that those with practical business experience should play a greater role in shaping future entrepreneurs.
Prof. Korflesch criticized the prevailing method of teaching entrepreneurship, describing it as overly theoretical and disconnected from the realities of running a business. He called for a shift towards experiential learning, mentorship, innovation projects, and hands-on training that would enable students to develop practical entrepreneurial skills.
British Council Advocates Evidence-Based Teaching
In a related development, the Country Director of the British Council in Nigeria, Donna McGowan, has said that improving learning outcomes in Nigeria requires schools and educators to embrace evidence-based approaches that place research and innovation at the heart of teaching. She spoke at the British Council Action Research Grants showcase in Abuja, noting that while expanding access to education remains important, equal attention must be paid to improving the quality of teaching and learning in classrooms.
McGowan noted that education systems globally are under pressure to equip young people with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing environment. She stressed that school improvement should no longer be driven by assumptions but by research findings and practical classroom experiences.
According to her, the British Council's Action Research Grants programme empowers teachers and school leaders to identify challenges within their classrooms, test practical solutions, evaluate their impact, and share lessons with colleagues. She added that some of the most transformative education reforms often begin as small, locally driven innovations within schools. McGowan explained that the initiative, a global British Council programme, supports educators to investigate and address context-specific challenges affecting teaching and learning.
