The commitment of Igbinedion University Okada’s leadership to continuous staff development and practical knowledge transfer received another boost as three senior faculty members completed an intensive “Training of Trainers, Facilitators and Coaches” programme on the ICSS entrepreneurship framework. The initiative, which held from February 16–21, 2026 at Otti Hotel, Etete GRA, Benin City, was delivered by expert trainers and supported by the German Development Corporation, SMEDAN, and Kaduna Business School.
The ICSS model, Inspire, Create, Start, Scale, structures the startup journey into four actionable stages designed to move aspiring entrepreneurs from ideation to sustainable growth. Recognizing the strategic value of the programme for IUO’s Entrepreneurship Development curriculum, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, PhD, FAS, nominated three staff for participation: Dr. (Mrs.) Josiah Mary, Director, Entrepreneurship & Productivity Studies; Dr. Yerima Yakubu, Deputy Director, EPS; and Dr. Onyeoma Sylvester, Dean, College of Arts and Social Sciences.
Prof. Ezemonye’s nomination reflects his continued drive to position IUO staff at the forefront of innovation training. Under his leadership, the university has consistently prioritized capacity building that translates directly into student impact. The training covered methodology and impact-oriented facilitation, self-discovery and career sensitization, ideation and business model canvas, business formalization and financial projections, and business innovation with digital marketing and e-commerce.
Following certification requirements, the team conducted a pilot knowledge transfer session for 30 students from 200L and 300L, with the INSPIRE module delivered to 200L students and CREATE to 300L students. The session proved both impactful and inspiring, equipping students with practical tools to move beyond stagnation at the “inspiration stage”, a challenge many young entrepreneurs face and toward building ventures with scale and sustainability.
On 8th June 2026, Dr. (Mrs.) Josiah Mary formally presented certificates of participation, four textbooks, and a calendar to Prof. Ezemonye in his office, marking the completion of the cycle from nomination to implementation. The presentation symbolizes IUO’s approach to staff development: train faculty, certify them, and immediately integrate acquired knowledge into the curriculum.
Speaking on the initiative, Prof. Ezemonye reaffirmed that IUO will continue to collaborate with national and international partners to equip staff and students with future-ready skills. The Vice-Chancellor’s leadership in prioritizing staff development ensures that IUO remains a university where knowledge is not only acquired but actively transferred, positioning graduates and faculty to drive innovation across Nigeria and Africa.
With plans for broader student engagement already underway, the ICSS training stands as another example of how Prof. Ezemonye’s administration is building an institution where entrepreneurship is taught by practitioners, not just in theory, and where staff growth directly fuels student success
