No fewer than 200 students from tertiary institutions across Ondo State have received business equipment under the Students to CEO 2.0 initiative, an entrepreneurship empowerment programme aimed at supporting youth-owned enterprises and encouraging self-employment among undergraduates.
The programme, organized by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Committee (JCC), Ondo Axis, provided beneficiaries with equipment to strengthen existing businesses and enable them to build sustainable sources of income while still in school.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of NANS JCC Ondo Axis, Adekanye Mayomi, said the initiative was designed to help students look beyond academic qualifications and embrace entrepreneurship as a viable path to economic success.
According to him, many young people have skills and talents that can be transformed into thriving businesses when supported with the right tools and mentorship.
“Success does not revolve around academic excellence alone. We need to explore our different skills and improve ourselves. As student leaders, we must inspire our students and make sure they can maximize opportunities in society to become a better version of themselves,” he said.
Adekanye noted that benefits included students involved in fashion designing, tailoring, technology-related ventures and other small businesses.
“We are giving equipment out to students who are skilled, who are into fashion designing, tailoring and tech. We want to empower them and provide the support they need to grow,” he added.
He explained that while the organisers initially targeted 400 beneficiaries, 200 students were eventually selected for the current phase of the programme.
Also speaking during the program. National NANS President, Babatunde Akinteye, described the initiative as a practical approach to promoting entrepreneurship among young Nigerians and reducing dependence on scarce white-collar jobs.
He said the programme was sponsored by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to help students establish and expand businesses before graduation.
“The idea is that students should not just graduate and start looking for white-collar jobs. Before you graduate, have your business and have support so that you can grow,” Akinteye said.
He added that several beneficiaries of the first edition had successfully expanded their ventures and become business owners in their respective fields.
“Many of them can testify to the empowerment they received. That is the reason they are CEOs in their line of business today,” he stated.
Akinteye urged governments and development agencies to increase investment in student entrepreneurship, noting that young people represent a significant portion of Nigeria’s productive population.
“If you want to empower the youth, you have to empower the students. We have students involved in agriculture and different businesses, but many lack support. Government must begin direct entrepreneurship empowerment for students,” he said.
“Some students cannot afford industrial machines, but providing them with these machines will support their businesses and help them grow,” he Added
Akinteye disclosed that beneficiaries were drawn from 10 tertiary institutions across Ondo State, with about 20 students selected from each institution.