By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
Pan-Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) has unveiled a comprehensive handbook on inclusive and equitable entrepreneurship programming in Nigeria.
The launch, held at Four Points by Sheraton in Lagos on November 11, 2024, aimed to bridge gaps in entrepreneurship development.
According to Dr. Nneka Okekearu, EDC Director, “In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, having access to reliable and practical information is more important than ever, and this handbook aims to provide just that.” The handbook, developed by experts, addresses challenges and opportunities within Nigeria’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.
With 21 years of experience in entrepreneurship programs across Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, EDC identified inclusivity gaps. Dr. Okekearu noted, “Our work with the Mastercard Foundation on transforming Nigerian youth’s lives highlighted this need.”
Prof. Enase Okonedo, Pan-Atlantic University Vice Chancellor, emphasized the importance of collective effort for inclusivity and equality. “I think one has to drive it because it is not a role that we can limit to only one sector either private sector or public sector. It has to be the entire ecosystem because a lot of actors are involved.”
Keynote speaker Rosy Fynn, Mastercard Foundation Country Director, defined inclusive entrepreneurship: ensuring that women, young people, people living with disabilities, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups have equal opportunities to start, sustain, and grow businesses.”
Dr. Okekearu concluded, “This Handbook is intended to be a practical guide, offering insights, strategies, and best practices that can be readily applied in real-world scenarios. Whether you are a programme implementer, a funder, a gatekeeper, an influencer, a new educator looking for guidance, a seasoned professional seeking to refine your skills, a student aiming to deepen your understanding, an evaluator seeking to ensure accountability, a development expert or you are in policy and advocacy, academia, this resource is designed to meet you where you are and support your journey forward.”
