Nnamdi Felix Unachukwu, the seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Business Matters Incubators (BMI), has expressed strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s transformation agenda, particularly the one child, two skills initiative aimed at revolutionizing education in Nigeria. He commended Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman for furthering this agenda through innovative educational reforms.
Unachukwu emphasized the urgent need for functional education that goes beyond traditional academic curricula. Through BMI’s Catch Them Young Initiative, he advocates for a revamped curriculum that equips students with practical skills, fostering self-reliance and entrepreneurship. He believes that this approach is essential for addressing the challenges faced by youth who graduate without job prospects, potentially turning them into societal issues.
He noted that while the national youth conference will address current youth challenges, the real focus should be on the long-term benefits of the new curriculum. “If properly implemented, we could see Nigeria producing experts across various fields and even exporting skilled labor, similar to India’s successful model,” he stated.
Unachukwu urged the Ministry of Education to ensure that the initiative moves beyond announcements to actionable implementation, highlighting the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors. He called for hands-on learning experiences, practical skills training, and corporate sponsorships for programs that prepare students for real-world challenges.
He also proposed the establishment of practical hubs where students can gain experience, and encouraged alumni associations to assist schools in building labs for hands-on learning. “This is the time to increase funding for education to secure a better future,” he added.
Unachukwu concluded by reiterating the importance of the government’s support for the new curriculum, expressing optimism about the potential impact of the initiative on Nigeria’s educational landscape and economic growth.