Dr. Ofomata to transform Akwa Ibom State University to entrepreneurship hub

Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) is poised to become a leading entrepreneurship hub in Nigeria following the proposed donation of a cutting-edge Entrepreneurial Center by a prominent business leader, Dr. Marcel Ofomata.

The groundbreaking initiative was unveiled at the university’s Maiden Leadership and Entrepreneurial Summit, signaling a major boost for youth innovation and economic development in the region.

With Nigeria’s unemployment rate soaring, particularly among young graduates, the new center is a direct response to the urgent need for job creation and self-reliance.

The facility aims to equip students with practical business skills, connect them with investors, and transform ideas into viable enterprises.

“This is not just a building; it’s a launchpad for the next generation of business leaders. We must shift from waiting for jobs to creating them,” declared the donor during his keynote speech.

Unlike typical alumni donations, this gift comes from an external benefactor—a successful entrepreneur who credits Akwa Ibom State for laying the foundation of his career.

“You don’t have to be an alumnus to give back to a place that shaped you,” he remarked, setting a precedent for cross-community investment in education.

“Although this is not my tribal home, I consider it my home in every other sense of the word. It is here that I found opportunities, built my foundation, and experienced the support of a community that believed in my vision,” Ofomata added.

Speaking on the transformative power of leadership, Dr. Ofomata said it is “all about service, vision, and impact, in today’s world, leadership is no longer just about authority—it is about influence” and added that “a true leader mentors, empowers, and creates opportunities for others.”

He continued: “As we look around, we see that leadership is needed in every sector—government, business, education, and technology.

“The question we must ask ourselves is, what kind of leaders are we becoming? Are we leading by example? Are we inspiring the next generation to rise above challenges and become solutions to the problems they see?”

On entrepreneurship, he said: “entrepreneurship is not just about making money—it is about creating value. The world does not reward people for what they know; it rewards people for the problems they solve.

“In Nigeria, where youth unemployment is a pressing issue, entrepreneurship presents a powerful solution. But for young entrepreneurs to succeed, they need more than just ideas; they need mentorship, training, access to resources, and an ecosystem that supports innovation.”

Throwing more light on the donation of the entrepreneurial centre, he described it as “a legacy project that will empower students, young entrepreneurs, and future business leaders.”

The center will serve as an entrepreneurial training and mentorship hub to equip students with real-world business skills, as well as assist in business incubation and startup support to help young entrepreneurs develop and launch their ideas, and networking and industry partnerships to connect students with investors, mentors, and opportunities beyond the university.

“My hope is that this center will not only nurture business ideas but also serve as a launchpad for global success stories,” Dr. Ofomata concluded.

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