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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Veritas University, Abuja, has launched an ambitious drive to redefine graduate employability with the commencement of a N1.3 billion Innovation Hub and Skills Boot Centre in the university campus, declaring that no student will graduate from the institution without acquiring a practical skill.
The project, which received a major boost from a philanthropist, Dr. Josephat Okoye, who has already committed over N200 million, is expected to be completed by the end of January next year.
Speaking after laying the foundation for the facility, the Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Ichoku, said the university was institutionalising skills acquisition to ensure every graduate leaves the institution with practical competencies alongside academic qualifications.
“Our vision is simple: No graduate without a skill. We don’t just give students certificates; we equip them with skills because that is what the future demands,” he said.
He explained that the Innovation Hub would serve as a melting point for innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, bringing together students from every faculty to develop ideas, solve real-life problems and acquire industry-relevant skills.
“The centre will house specialised sections for technology, engineering, fashion design, creative arts, digital innovation, entrepreneurship and other vocational fields, equipped with modern facilities to support learning and innovation,” he declared.
Prof Ichoku said the project was designed to consolidate the university’s various skills programmes into one integrated centre, where students can continue developing their talents beyond the classroom.
He explained that the institution already organises an annual Skills Boot Week that attracts experts, innovators and industry leaders from Nigeria and abroad to mentor students and expose them to emerging opportunities.
The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that Veritas is partnering with global technology firms, including Cisco and Microsoft, to ensure students obtain internationally recognised professional certifications before graduation.
“Every student that passes through Veritas should also be certified by Cisco and Microsoft because the future belongs to people who can apply knowledge to solve problems,” he said.
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He stressed that university education should not be limited to classroom instruction, noting that many students discover talents outside the disciplines they study.
Recalling the story of a first-class accounting graduate who is now a member of Nigeria’s national basketball team, Ichoku said education should help students develop their passions as well as their academic potential.
“Today, education is no longer limited to what you study in the classroom. It is also about your passion,” he added.
He urged young Nigerians to reject internet fraud and other illegal means of making money, insisting that lasting success comes through innovation, hard work and practical skills. “Your future is about what you can do, not just what you know. Beyond your certificate, you must acquire a skill if you want to remain relevant tomorrow,” he said.
Ichoku also commended the philanthropist for sponsoring the artistic remodelling of the university’s chapel altar, saying the project has transformed the worship space into an environment that inspires students and worshippers to deepen their faith.
On his part, Dr. Okoye said his support for the project was inspired by his desire to invest in young people and contribute to Nigeria’s future. “What motivated me is what the good Lord has done for me over the years.
“I found in Veritas University a place where truth is upheld and where the students, staff and leadership are doing fantastically well. Whatever I can contribute, with God’s help, I will do to help these young people achieve greater heights,” he said.
The philanthropist said he chose Veritas because of his confidence in the institution’s leadership, particularly the Vice-Chancellor, whom he had worked with during the establishment of Peter University. “I know Professor Ichoku very well. He was a top performer, so I have confidence that whatever I donate will be properly utilised,” he said.
Okoye disclosed that he had already released more than N200 million for the project and expressed satisfaction with the pace of construction. “I’ve already donated a substantial amount, over N200 million and they are using it very well. That encourages me to fulfil the rest of my commitment,” he said.
While declining to disclose the total value of his donation, he encouraged Nigerian youths to combine academic qualifications with practical skills. “I earned my bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate in the United States, but educational qualifications alone are not enough. When you combine education with practical skills, you will go places and the country will also move forward,” he said.
