Nasarawa State University, Keffi has partnered with Prince Interior Vocational Institute to strengthen entrepreneurship and practical skills development among students, with a focus on furniture production and interior design. The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to train over 500 professional furniture artisans within two years while equipping students with hands-on technical skills and business knowledge needed to build sustainable enterprises in Nigeria’s furniture industry.
The partnership is also expected to deepen vocational education within the university system by exposing students to practical learning experiences that align with Nigeria’s growing demand for skilled artisans and creative entrepreneurs.
Speaking during the signing of the agreement, the Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Prof. Sa’adatu Liman, described the partnership as a strategic move that aligns with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) guidelines on entrepreneurship development output.
According to her, the initiative reflects the institution’s commitment to producing graduates who possess both academic knowledge and practical capabilities that can translate into viable economic opportunities.
“This collaboration is in line with the criteria for TETFund guidelines in entrepreneurial development output,” Liman said.
She commended Prince Interior Vocational Institute for choosing the university as a partner for the initiative, noting that the collaboration will provide meaningful benefits to students and the wider university community.
“The partnership will be beneficial to the entire university community,” she added.
Also speaking, the Director of the university’s Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC), Prof. Rashidah Olanrewaju, explained that the university already offers students opportunities to acquire multiple vocational and entrepreneurial skills through the centre.
According to her, the collaboration will further expand those opportunities and enhance the practical training available to students.
She noted that students at the Entrepreneurship Development Centre currently benefit from exposure to about 50 different skills programmes designed to improve employability and encourage self-reliance.
Olanrewaju expressed appreciation to the institute for the partnership and expressed optimism that the collaboration would yield positive results for both institutions.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Prince Interior Vocational Institute, Emeka Owgueke, said the programme is designed to establish a medium-scale furniture workshop within the university campus.
He explained that the facility will be equipped with the basic machines and tools required for furniture production, enabling students to gain practical experience while also supporting the university’s internal furniture needs.
According to him, the initiative will help reduce the institution’s overhead costs on furniture procurement while simultaneously building a pipeline of skilled artisans.
Owgueke said the partnership represents a shared commitment to empowering young Nigerians with marketable skills and entrepreneurial capabilities.
“This partnership represents a shared vision to create opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire marketable skills and build sustainable businesses within the furniture and interior design industry,” he said.
He explained that participants in the programme will be exposed to the entire furniture production value chain, including raw material sourcing, product manufacturing, finishing, branding, marketing, and distribution.
“Under the agreement, university students will be enrolled at Prince Interior Vocational Institute to acquire hands-on, certified training in furniture making, interior product design, and business development,” Owgueke said.
He commended the leadership of Nasarawa State University for recognising the importance of vocational education in addressing youth unemployment and strengthening the local economy.
“This partnership is more than an academic arrangement — it is a shared commitment to opening doors for more young Nigerians to boldly step into their career journey, whether from scratch, brushing up existing skills, or upgrading to the next level in the interior and design space,” he said.
Owgueke added that graduates of the programme will be equipped with the knowledge and mentorship required to launch and manage furniture enterprises.
“Students gain profitability-focused mentorship covering production, pricing, branding, and distribution of furniture goods,” he said.
He noted that the institute’s curriculum combines technical craftsmanship with entrepreneurial thinking, ensuring that participants are trained not only to learn a trade but also to build sustainable businesses within Nigeria’s furniture and interior design industry.
