Godfrey Okoye University (GOUNI), Enugu, has advanced its commitment to student entrepreneurship with the disbursement of ₦7 million in seed capital to 140 student business groups under the STEP-S programme of the Directorate of Entrepreneurship (DoE).
Director of the Directorate, Mr. Christopher Uwakwe, told beneficiaries that the funding serves as startup capital for the innovative business ideas developed by the students. Each business group—made up of five self-selected students—must align its project with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 8 (Decent Work) and SDG 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption).
Mr. Uwakwe urged students to create products and services that are people-focused, environmentally conscious, and profitable. He clarified that the university does not take a share of their profits; students are only required to return the seed capital, while all business gains remain theirs to reinvest.
Highlighting the programme’s success since its launch in 2018, he noted that STEP-S has maintained a loan repayment rate of over 95%, credited to students’ commitment and the initiative’s strong operational structure.
He acknowledged that while entrepreneurship can be challenging, transparency and accountability are essential. In rare cases of inactive groups or unaccounted funds, the Directorate conducts detailed business forensics to identify the cause of failure.
Mr. Uwakwe added that STEP-S helps build teamwork, tolerance, and group dynamism—qualities he described as critical for long-term business sustainability. Many alumni groups, he noted, have grown their startups beyond the programme, with some expected to become full-fledged GOUNI alumni companies.
He also announced that GOUNI will host its Town and Gown event on December 4, 2025, where students will pitch their business ideas to attract potential investors. The university’s Business Incubation Centre continues to support students in developing and refining their ventures.
Mr. Uwakwe encouraged academic and non-academic staff to participate by starting their own enterprises or serving as trainers. He credited the Vice-Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Christian Anieke, whose visionary leadership brought the STEP model to GOUNI—currently the only university in West Africa implementing this framework, even as over 250 universities in Nigeria seek to adopt it.
He reaffirmed that the programme equips students with the skills needed for long-term entrepreneurial success, including opportunity identification, business planning, strategic marketing, overcoming barriers, and formal business registration.
Credit: GoUni
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