Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), formerly known as Bauchi State University, is changing the way students are prepared for life after school. The university has established a Career Services Centre and an Entrepreneurship Development Centre on its campuses to help students acquire valuable skills, plan their careers, and become job creators rather than job seekers.
At the opening of the centres at the Yuli Campus, Vice Chancellor Professor Fatimah Tahir said the projects represent a significant step forward for the university. She explained that the centres are designed to help students and staff acquire skills that will enable them to secure jobs or start businesses. “We want our students to succeed, not just in school, but in the real world,” she said.
The new centres were built with the help of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). Professor Tahir added that the school also acquired a 500 KVA generator to ensure there is sufficient power to run the centres and support training activities.
Dr. Wasilu Suleiman, who is in charge of the Career Development Centre, said the goal is to prepare students and even former students for Today’s changing job market. “We are giving them the tools to grow and succeed anywhere in the world,” he said.
Dr. Salisu Ibrahim Waziri, Director of the Entrepreneurship Centre, stated that the focus will be on teaching practical skills, providing vocational training, and helping students adopt a new mindset. “We want them to stop waiting for jobs and start creating jobs,” he said. “That is the only way to reduce unemployment.”
This is important because many young people in Nigeria complete their Education but struggle to find employment. According to government reports, a large number of Nigerian youths are unemployed. Many of them lack the knowledge to manage their finances, start a business, or utilise their talents to earn a living.
A financial literacy coach, Bukola Agbaje, said this kind of programme can help a lot. “Most students do not learn about money or business in school. What this university is doing is an excellent idea and should be copied by other schools,” she said.
In other countries, such as Finland and Singapore, students learn about business, leadership, and innovation during their school years. At the National University of Singapore, for example, students get support to start their businesses from their first year in school. Dr. Dipo Awojide, an education expert, said Nigerian schools can learn from this. “Students should be taught how to solve real problems, not just pass examinations,” he said.
With the new centres also set up at the Gadau and Misau campuses, SAZU is demonstrating its commitment to making long-term changes. The centres will train students to start small businesses, learn useful trades, and think creatively about solving problems in their communities.
Dr. Waziri said it best: “We are not just building entrepreneurs; we are building problem solvers.” Many people are now watching SAZU closely to see how this new step will change the future of Education in Nigeria.
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