The Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), the Entrepreneurship Centre of Pan-Atlantic University, has unveiled a comprehensive handbook aimed at advancing inclusive and equitable entrepreneurship programming in Nigeria. The launch event, held on Monday, November 11, 2024, at the Four Points by Sheraton in Lagos, marked the introduction of a critical resource designed to assist stakeholders in navigating the challenges and seizing the opportunities within the Nigerian entrepreneurship ecosystem.
In her address, Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Director of the Enterprise Development Centre, emphasized the importance of accessible and actionable information in today’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape. She highlighted that the handbook, developed by a team of experts, reflects years of research and hands-on experience, with content tailored to equip organizations and individuals with the knowledge necessary to foster inclusive and equitable entrepreneurship.
Dr. Okekearu noted that over the past two decades, EDC has conducted various entrepreneurship programs across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. Through these initiatives, the organization identified significant gaps in inclusivity, which led to the development of this handbook. She also pointed out that the Centre’s recent collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, particularly in the last five years, focused on transforming the lives of Nigerian youth through capacity building and mindset change, further underscoring the need for targeted efforts to address inclusivity in entrepreneurship.
Prof. Enase Okonedo, Vice Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, underscored the collective responsibility of multiple sectors in promoting inclusive entrepreneurship. She stressed that entrepreneurship, as a global tool for transformation, requires the engagement of individuals, communities, civil society organizations, governments, private sector institutions, universities, and entrepreneurship development centers. Prof. Okonedo emphasized that the push for inclusivity and equality must extend beyond isolated efforts to encompass a collaborative, ecosystem-wide approach.
Keynote speaker, Rosy Fynn, Country Director at the Mastercard Foundation, discussed the core principles of inclusive and equitable entrepreneurship programming, highlighting the necessity of ensuring equal opportunities for women, youth, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and other vulnerable groups. She expressed confidence that the new handbook would be a transformative tool for creating more equitable programs in Nigeria. Fynn also emphasized that the collaboration between the Mastercard Foundation and EDC had yielded valuable insights, which were instrumental in the creation of the handbook.
Dr. Okekearu in his closing remark, reiterated that the handbook serves as a practical guide for a broad range of stakeholders. Whether for program implementers, funders, educators, students, evaluators, policy advocates, or other professionals within the development sector, the handbook provides essential strategies, best practices, and insights to foster inclusive entrepreneurship. It aims to meet the needs of diverse audiences, offering a structured, actionable approach to creating equitable entrepreneurship programs that address the unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups.
