LASU HOSTS TETFUND-FUNDED TRAINING ON TEACHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP THROUGH EFFECTUATION

The Lagos State University (LASU), in collaboration with the National Universities Commission (NUC), has concluded a three-day TETFund-funded capacity-building programme on teaching entrepreneurship through effectuation.

The training, held from Monday, 27th July to Wednesday, 29th July 2026 at the Senate Chamber of the Babatunde Raji Fashola Senate Building, Main Campus, Ojo, brought together members of the University's academic community to strengthen entrepreneurship teaching through the effectuation approach.

Declaring the programme open, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Oseni Taiwo AFISI, FSPSP, MCIOD, described the training as a timely intervention to strengthen entrepreneurship education across Nigerian universities.

He noted that entrepreneurship extends beyond business creation, adding that the effectuation approach equips lecturers with practical methods to help students think creatively, make informed decisions under conditions of uncertainty, solve problems and identify opportunities.

Prof. AFISI mentioned that the training would improve teaching methods and better prepare graduates to create value, generate employment and contribute to national development.

The first day of the programme focused on "Foundations, Mindset and Bird-in-Hand" with sessions facilitated by Dr Abubakar A. ADAMU of the Department of Business Administration, University of Maiduguri, and Dr Bola Olufunke JENYO of the Department of General Studies (Entrepreneurship Unit), Federal University of Health Sciences.

Dr ADAMU walked the participants through Effectuation: Background and Principles, introducing the concept of effectuation and its five guiding principles. He outlined how the approach encourages entrepreneurs to start with available means, limit risk through affordable loss, build partnerships, turn unexpected events into opportunities, and focus on what they can control.

Speaking on the Bird-in-Hand Principle, Dr JENYO explained that entrepreneurs should begin with the resources, knowledge and relationships already available to them rather than waiting for ideal circumstances or external funding. She said the principle is built around three questions: Who am I? What do I know? Whom do I know?

On the second day, Dr ADAMU delivered a session on Affordable Loss Logic, stating that entrepreneurs should base decisions on what they can afford to lose in terms of time, money, reputation and control instead of focusing solely on expected returns. He also discussed ways of identifying when a venture has become too costly or risky and how to take small, practical steps that encourage learning without overstretching available resources.

He later examined the Lemonade Principle, explaining that setbacks, mistakes and unexpected events can be turned into opportunities for innovation and growth.

Returning to the podium, Dr JENYO spoke on the Patchwork Quilt Principle, which encourages entrepreneurs to build ventures through strategic partnerships and collaboration with stakeholders rather than relying solely on competition.

The final day centred on developing a value-creating mindset, creativity and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in entrepreneurship. Dr JENYO led participants through the Pilot-in-the-Plane Principle, explaining that the future is shaped by the decisions and actions people take rather than by prediction alone. She urged participants to apply the principles of effectuation in their teaching and professional practice.

Throughout the three-day programme, participants took part in practical exercises, quizzes, case studies and interactive discussions that reinforced the concepts presented during the training.

In his closing remarks, Dr ADAMU thanked participants for their commitment throughout the programme. He urged them to apply the same entrepreneurial principles they teach in their own lives and careers, adding that entrepreneurship education should be practical and action-oriented.

Dr Samuel ASESANYA, Deputy Registrar in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), representing the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Oseni Taiwo AFISI, commended participants for their dedication and expressed confidence that the training would strengthen entrepreneurship education at the University.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Professor Uche EBELE of the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), thanked the facilitators, TETFund and the National Universities Commission for the training. She said the knowledge acquired would support participants in advancing the principles of effectuation in their teaching and professional practice.

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