Abuja, Nigeria – The Executive Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN), Ugonna Achebe, has called for stronger collaboration between schools, parents, and government to nurture a new generation of innovative, solution-driven entrepreneurs across Africa.
Achebe emphasized the need for educational institutions to move beyond conventional classroom teaching by integrating entrepreneurship programmes into the curriculum. He highlighted the importance of practical learning, teamwork, and problem-solving in preparing students for real-world challenges.
Embedding innovation within the academic system enables students to see education as a powerful tool to build businesses and solve pressing community issues, he stated.
He also underscored the role of parents in fostering entrepreneurial mindsets by encouraging creativity, curiosity, and calculated risk-taking at home.
Parents must support their children’s ideas, no matter how small. Validating their dreams can make all the difference, Achebe noted.
Addressing the government’s role, Achebe urged policymakers to invest in scalable youth entrepreneurship initiatives, enhance digital infrastructure, and develop supportive policies that allow young people to innovate, fail, and grow.
Public-private partnerships can significantly scale the impact of these efforts continent-wide, he said, adding that sustained mentorship, access to resources, and leadership opportunities are essential for young innovators.
Achebe also shared insights into JAN’s Company Programme, which challenges students to address real-world issues and equips them with the tools to build sustainable and impactful businesses.
Support also means creating safe spaces where students can fail and learn. Access to startup capital, innovation hubs, and alumni networks can help students scale their school-based ventures, he explained.
He stressed the importance of continued support post-graduation, saying with the right ecosystem, today’s student entrepreneurs can become tomorrow’s African business leaders.
Achebe further announced that Nigeria will host the prestigious Africa Company of the Year (ACOY) competition in December 2025, to be held in Abuja. The event will bring together top student entrepreneurs from across the continent to pitch their innovations to investors, industry leaders, and business experts.
This platform aligns with JAN’s mission to spotlight African youth, foster innovation, and provide international exposure for budding entrepreneurs, he said.
Achebe noted that ACOY doesn’t just offer competition—it includes mentorship, hands-on experience, and networking opportunities to help students navigate the global business landscape.
Reflecting on past Nigerian successes, he highlighted standout performances:
In 2024, Smart Sprout from Darun Noor Intercontinental School, Kano, presented a Smart Sprinkler for sustainable agriculture.
In 2023, Sustainable Future Advocate Company from Kosofe Senior College, Lagos, won the Public Choice and Delta Air Lines Social Impact Awards in Kigali.
In 2018, Inventive Explorers from Caro Favoured College, Lagos, won in Ghana with rechargeable LED traffic lights for road safety.
Achebe described hosting ACOY 2025 in Abuja as a milestone for both JAN and Nigeria, reinforcing the country’s leadership in youth innovation and entrepreneurship.
This event will attract investment, spark vital conversations around job creation, and celebrate youth-led innovation. It promises to leave a lasting impact on Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape, he stated.
The event will feature workshops, mentorship sessions, and awards recognizing excellence in innovation, sustainability, and leadership.
Achebe concluded with a call to action, inviting corporate bodies, government institutions, philanthropists, and individuals to support the initiative by sponsoring, mentoring, judging, or offering internships and funding opportunities.
Junior Achievement Nigeria is proud to be part of JA Worldwide—one of the largest youth-focused NGOs globally. Since 1999, we’ve empowered Nigerian youth with the skills, mindset, and confidence to succeed in today’s economy, he added.
JAN’s programmes focus on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital literacy, and career readiness, helping young people transition from students to global change-makers.
