University don says government has to do more

Professor of Development Economics at the University of Abuja, Professor Sarah Olanrewaju Anyanwu has asked the government on all levels, Nigerians and the organized private sector to always gravitate towards promoting entrepreneurial activities in the country.

Prof. Anyanwu made this statement while presenting a paper titled, “Entrepreneurship: A veritable Tool for Fostering Economic Development in Nigeria” during the 13th inaugural lecture of the University. She further encouraged the government to carry entrepreneurs along in its policies for the sake of sustainable development.

Anyanwu said the government needed to include entrepreneurship studies in the primary and secondary school curriculum so as to encourage young minds to embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship. “Entrepreneurs need knowledge and knowledge can be acquired through education. Entrepreneurial abilities are products of education. Nigeria should invest strategically in education so that her human capital development can be developed,” she said.

She asked the federal government to offer incentives that encourage entrepreneurship by developing policies and establishing a framework that encourages the funding of new ventures and the sustainability of such ventures.

“The government needs to partner with financial institutions in the country in order to reduce the risk as well as make available other sources of assistance to entrepreneurs. Strengthening financial support for SMEs in Nigeria, like in many other African countries is crucial”, Anyanwu, who is also the Head of the Economics department at the University of Abuja, added.

She also advised women to also engage themselves in entrepreneurial activities so as to be empowered economically.