In contemporary society, there is a growing apprehension regarding issues such as unemployment, poverty, and youth engagement in criminal activities and deceit. Consequently, numerous fleeting resolutions have been recommended, only to dissipate with each change of government every four years. It is apparent that a more structured and sustainable approach is imperative to tackle these intricate challenges.
Nnamdi Unachukwu, the chairman of BMI-CTY (Business Matters Incubators- Catch Them Young), recently introduced an innovative initiative designed to empower young African children with the skills and mentality necessary to prosper as entrepreneurs. This event, hosted at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, exhibited the resources and blueprint conceived by BMI-CTY to address the existing deficiency in entrepreneurial education for children.
Unachukwu underscored the significance of early education in shaping conduct, habits, and cognitive development in children. He underscored the necessity for well-conceived resources and methodologies to cultivate self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-confidence in young individuals. The BMI-CTY initiative is specifically tailored for children aged 7-14 and employs a comprehensive approach to entrepreneurship education, inclusive of textbooks, workbooks, video lessons, a gamified learning platform, and practical manuals.
The overarching objective of the BMI-CTY initiative is to equip young Nigerian children with the requisite skills and mentality to succeed as entrepreneurs. Unachukwu articulated his eagerness to collaborate with federal and state ministries of education, as well as the Universal Basic Education board, to guarantee the extensive implementation of this initiative in schools nationwide.
At the event, Henrietta Onwuegbuzie, an associate professor of entrepreneurship at Lagos Business School, delivered a keynote address, highlighting the importance of instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in children from a young age. She accentuated the necessity to shift the focus from seeking employment to creating jobs and underscored the potential for profitable enterprises in resolving societal issues.
Onwuegbuzie called for the liberation of academia and a shift towards a system that fosters problem-solving, innovation, and entrepreneurship. She stressed that entrepreneurship should not be confined to a select few, and that customary perceptions of education and employment need to be reimagined to cultivate a culture of self-sufficiency and creativity.
In conclusion, the BMI-CTY initiative signifies a significant stride towards addressing the multifarious challenges encountered by young Africans. By equipping children with entrepreneurial skills and mindset, this initiative has the potential to foster economic empowerment, creativity, and self-reliance in the next generation. It is evident that by investing in the education and development of young entrepreneurs, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter and more prosperous future for the African continent.