By Salisu Sani-Idris
Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Prince Interior Vocational Institute have taken a significant step toward strengthening entrepreneurship and practical skills development among its students aimed at training professional furniture artisans.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the collaboration formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), is expected to produce over 500 furniture artisans within two years.
In her remarks during the signing of the MoU, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sa’adatu Liman said that the collaboration was one of the criteria for TETFUND guidelines in entrepreneurial development output.
Liman commended the company for finding the institution a worthy and reliable partner for the entrepreneurial and vocational project.
According to her, the partnership will be beneficial to the entire university community.
Earlier, the Director of the university Entrepreneureship Development Centre (EDC) , Prof. Rashidah Olanrewaju, said the university students will benefit from about 50 different skills in the EDC.
She appreciated the company for the partnership and wished the partners a successful and fruitful collaboration.
Also speaking., the Chief Executive Officer, Prince Interior Vocational Institute, Emeka Owgueke explained that the programme targets the establishment of a medium-scale furniture workshop on campus.
He said that the workshop will be equipped with the basic machines to sustain production and reduce the university’s overhead costs on furniture procurement.
According to Owgueke, the 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 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.
He said under the agreement, students of the university will receive hands-on training in furniture making, interior product design, and business development.
” 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.
He commended the leadership of the university for recognising the importance of vocational education and enterprise development in addressing youth unemployment and building a resilient local economy.
“We are deeply grateful to Prof. Sa’adatu Liman and the leadership of the Nasarawa State University for recognising our uniqueness and extending this incredible opportunity to us.
” 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 that graduates of the programme will be equipped to launch, scale, and manage furniture enterprises, contributing directly to Nigeria’s industrial and economic growth agenda.
” This aligns with Nigeria’s Buy Naija to Grow the Naija initiative, prioritising locally made, high-quality products over imports.
Students gain profitability-focused mentorship covering production, pricing, branding, and distribution of furniture goods.
” The Institute’s curriculum blends technical craftsmanship with entrepreneurial thinking, ensuring students do not merely learn a trade but learn to build a business also.
” From raw material sourcing to finished product delivery, participants gain a full-cycle understanding of the furniture value chain, including production, pricing, branding, and distribution, ” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)