In a strategic move to strengthen institutional entrepreneurship and innovation capacity, the Entrepreneurship Centre of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna lead by the Deputy Director Dr. Dambo Sanni and his team Squadron Leader Hayatu Idris Bulana also Deputy Director Administration Officer and Mr. Mofi. paid a courtesy and benchmarking visit to the Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK).
Dr. Dambo said the visit was prompted by a strong recommendation from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), which recognized NSUK EDC as a model of excellence in entrepreneurship education, skill acquisition, and community-driven innovation.
NSUK EDC: A National Model for Institutional Enterprise
Led by the dynamic Professor Rashidah Funke Olanrewaju, NSUK EDC has grown into a nationally recognized centre of innovation, driving youth empowerment, local content development, and university-community integration. Through its flagship initiatives—especially the groundbreaking COMMUNIVERSITY project—the Centre has redefined how universities can be engines of economic and social transformation.
The AFIT delegation was on a mission to understudy NSUK EDC’s operations, structure, and impact, with a view to replicating its best practices within AFIT’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
TETFUND’s Endorsement: A Stamp of Excellence
TETFUND’s recommendation of NSUK EDC to AFIT underscores the Centre’s growing reputation as a successful and scalable model of institutional entrepreneurship in Nigeria. According to TETFUND, NSUK EDC exemplifies effective use of intervention resources, structured programming, and sustainable community engagement—qualities they believe other institutions should learn from.
This endorsement served as a key catalyst for the AFIT team’s decision to visit, observe, and benchmark.
An Insightful Tour of Innovation and Impact
During the visit, the AFIT team toured various skill acquisition units, observed local product showcases, and engaged with staff and facilitators driving the Centre’s day-to-day operations. They were particularly impressed by NSUK EDC’s hands-on approach to entrepreneurship, its interdisciplinary programming, and the smooth integration of students, facilitators, and community stakeholders into its value chain.
One of the most inspiring moments of the visit was learning about the COMMUNIVERSITY initiative, which seeks to bring university resources, knowledge, and innovation directly to local communities through outreach, partnerships, and empowerment programs.
A Path Toward Replication and Collaboration
The visiting AFIT delegation acknowledged that the NSUK EDC model offers a robust and adaptable framework for fostering innovation within defense-oriented academic settings. They expressed deep appreciation for the knowledge shared and affirmed their intention to replicate the structure within their institution—while also exploring opportunities for collaborative projects and faculty exchange.
Building a National Network of Impact-Driven EDCs
Professor Rashidah Funke Olanrewaju welcomed the AFIT team and emphasized the need for stronger inter-institutional collaboration across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. She thanked TETFUND for recognizing the work being done at NSUK EDC and reaffirmed her Centre’s readiness to share expertise, support replication, and drive inclusive national development through entrepreneurship.
As NSUK EDC continues to rise as a centre of excellence and national model, this visit by AFIT marks another bold step toward building a network of impactful EDCs across Nigerian universities and polytechnics.
