Strategic Management of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and ICT for Innovation, Revenue Generation, and Student Employability: A Case Study of Federal University Dutse
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fujafr-2026.v4i3.382.42-59Keywords:
Strategic management, Entrepreneurship, ICT, student employability, InnovationAbstract
Purpose: This study examines the strategic management of the Entrepreneurship Centre and ICT Directorate at Federal University Dutse, Nigeria, with the aim of developing a framework for transforming the two units into sustainable hubs for innovation, revenue generation, and student employability.
Methodology: The study adopted a pragmatic research paradigm, employing a single embedded case study design and a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach. Data were collected from 240 students, staff, and external stakeholders through questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analysed using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Institutional Theory and the Resource-Based View (RBV) guided the study.
Results and conclusion: The findings revealed that strategic planning, resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, and monitoring and evaluation had no statistically significant effects on revenue generation, innovation output, or student employability. Qualitative evidence identified inadequate funding, bureaucratic bottlenecks, weak institutional support, and poor coordination between the two units as key constraints. Consequently, a three-phase strategic management framework comprising institutional alignment, implementation and resource orchestration, and sustainability and scaling was developed.
Implication of findings: The framework offers practical guidance for integrating entrepreneurship and ICT functions into a unified innovation ecosystem that enhances financial sustainability, innovation capacity, and student employability in Nigerian public universities.
References
Abubakar, A., & Sani, M. (2021). Strategic management practices in Nigerian public universities: Issues and prospects. African Journal of Management Studies, 15(2), 123–137.
Adamu, A., Mohammed, A., & Ibrahim, Y. (2023). Moderating influence of government policy on relationship between entrepreneurship education and business startup of undergraduate business education students in North East Nigeria. Kashere Journal of Education, 4(1), 89–102.
Adebowale, B., & Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, B. (2006). University-industry collaboration as a determinant of innovation in Nigeria. International Journal of Institutions and Economies, 4(1), 21–46.
Adegbite, E., Simintiras, A. C., & Dwivedi, Y. K. (2021). Institutional voids and university entrepreneurship in developing economies: Evidence from Nigeria. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 46(4), 1123–1148.
Adegbite, J. G. O. (2007). The education reform agenda: Challenges for tertiary education administration in Nigeria. In Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Seminar of the Conference of Registrars of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (South West Zone).
Adegbite, O. (2021). Business incubators and small enterprise development in Nigeria. In O. Kolade, D. Rae, D. Obembe, & K. Woldesenbet Beta (Eds.), Perspectives on industrial development in Nigeria (pp. 285–301). Springer.
Adeleke, A. O., Ogunyemi, K. A., & Adebayo, R. I. (2020). Diversification strategies in Nigerian public universities: A case for sustainable development. Journal of Education and Practice, 11(5), 44–51.
Adeoye, I. A., Adanikin, A. F., & Adanikin, A. (2020). COVID-19 and e-learning: Nigeria’s education system in the digital age. International Journal of Education and Development Using ICT, 16(4), 1–15.
African Centre of Excellence in Data Science. (2024). Professional certification programmes. https://aceds.ur.ac.rw/
Ajadi, T. (2023). Demand for university education and students' employment prospects in Nigeria. Journal of Economics Education and Entrepreneurship, 4(1), 1–15.
Alvarenga, M., Melo, P., & Santos, S. (2023). Venture building strategies: How universities' acceleration programs could improve based on this approach. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (pp. 1–10).
Babi, H. I., Kabir, M. A., Abubakar, A., & Baba, B. U. (2026). Effect of revenue leakages on revenue generation of Nigerian tertiary hospitals in North-East Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Accounting and Finance Research (FUJAFR), 4(2), 106–126.
Barney, J. B. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
Brown, P., & Hesketh, A. (2021). The mismanagement of talent: Employability and jobs in the knowledge economy (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Bryson, J. M. (2018). Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations (5th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
BusinessDay. (2023, November 13). 40% deduction from varsities’ IGR will make education unaffordable—Stakeholders. https://businessday.ng/news/article/40-deduction-from-varsities-igr-will-make-education-unaffordable-stakeholders/
Chika, P., Eze, U., & Okafor, C. (2024). Entrepreneurship education as correlate of poststudent employability in Southeast, Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 8(8), 1–12.
Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2017). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). Sage.
Cruz, M., Silva, A., & Santos, R. (2023). Contribuições da Coordenação de Empreendedorismo e Desenvolvimento Empresarial e Social do Centro de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Tecnológico da UnB para as Diretrizes Estratégicas da Política de Inovação Institucional. Cadernos de Prospecção, 16(3), 1–15.
Daily Trust. (2024, October 3). Universities on verge of collapse over huge electricity bill – ASUU. https://dailytrust.com/universities-on-verge-of-collapse-over-huge-electricity-bill-asuu/
Edokpolor, J., Dumbiri, T., & Omoregie, E. (2023). Entrepreneurship education and student intention to launch a business: Does entrepreneurial knowledge and skills acquisition act as a mediator? Journal of Technology Management and Business, 10(1), 45–62.
Edoru, J., Turyasingura, B., Kayusi, F., Juma, L., Mishra, R., & González Vallejo, R. (2025). Transforming higher education in sub-Saharan Africa: Overcoming 21st-century challenges with practical remedies. Región Científica, 4, Article 2025493.
Egbeji, M., Onyeizugbe, C., & Okoye, J. (2026). Management of undergraduate programmes and the development of employability skills in Nigerian universities: A contemporary review. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 52(12), 1–15.
Eisenhardt, K. M., & Graebner, M. E. (2007). Theory building from cases: Opportunities and challenges. Academy of Management Journal, 50(1), 25–32.
Etudaiye-Muhtar, O. F., & Aliyu, A. A. (2026). Financial development, remittances and access to education in Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Accounting and Finance Research (FUJAFR), 4(1), 1–15.
Etzkowitz, H., & Leydesdorff, L. (2000). The dynamics of innovation: From national systems and “Mode 2” to a Triple Helix of university–industry–government relations. Research Policy, 29(2), 109–123.
Etzkowitz, H., & Zhou, C. (2022). The Triple Helix: University–industry–government innovation and entrepreneurship. Routledge.
Fayolle, A., & Gailly, B. (2015). The impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial attitudes and intention: Hysteresis and persistence. Journal of Small Business Management, 53(1), 75–93.
Giami, C., Okonkwo, E., & Nwankwo, F. (2024). Entrepreneurship education in Nigerian tertiary institutions: Innovative approaches for enhancing student employability. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 27(2), 1–18.
Guerrero, M., Urbano, D., & Gajón, E. (2024). Assessing the impact of university innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems: Managerial and policy implications. Academy of Management Perspectives.
Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006). How many interviews are enough? An experiment with data saturation and variability. Field Methods, 18(1), 59–82.
Harun, H., Mahmud, R., & Ismail, N. (2024a). ICCubeX: A structured university incubation model to accelerate the lab-to-market process. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(1), 1–15.
Harun, H., Mahmud, R., & Ismail, N. (2024b). Tackling challenges and capturing opportunities for university incubators in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In Advances in Higher Education and Professional Development Book Series (pp. 1–20).
Hill, C. W. L., Jones, G. R., & Schilling, M. A. (2021). Strategic management: Theory and cases (14th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Iwara, I. (2025). student employability in Africa: Reimagining rural-based entrepreneurial university paradigm. Sustainability, 17(10), 4628.
Kolade, O., Osabuohien, E., Aremu, A., Olanipekun, K. A., Osabohien, R., & Tunji-Olayeni, P. (2022). Co-creation of entrepreneurship education: Challenges and opportunities for university, industry and public sector collaboration in Nigeria. In O. Kolade, D. Rae, D. Obembe, & K. Woldesenbet Beta (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of African entrepreneurship (pp. 241–266). Palgrave Macmillan.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage.
Meyer, J. W., & Rowan, B. (1977). Institutionalized organizations: Formal structure as myth and ceremony. American Journal of Sociology, 83(2), 340–363.
MIT Entrepreneurship Center. (2023). MIT Entrepreneurship Center. https://entrepreneurship.mit.edu/
National Science Foundation. (2022). Science and engineering indicators: Higher education R&D. https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20221/
OECD. (2023). Digital transformation in higher education. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/
Ogbari, M. E., Ogunnaike, O. O., Kehinde, O. J., Amoo, E. O., & Owa, O. (2022). Co-creation of entrepreneurship education: Challenges and opportunities for university, industry and public sector collaboration in Nigeria. In O. Kolade, D. Rae, D. Obembe, & K. Woldesenbet Beta (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of African entrepreneurship (pp. 241–266). Palgrave Macmillan.
Ogunmodede, T. A., Ebijuwa, A. S., & Oyetola, O. O. (2022). Entrepreneurship education and student employability in Nigerian universities: The mediating role of innovation. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 14(5), 789–812.
Ogunyemi, K. A., Adeleke, A. O., & Sanni, A. (2023). Operationalizing entrepreneurial education in Nigerian universities: A case study of Covenant University. African Journal of Innovation and Development, 5(1), 29–45.
Okiki, O. C. (2021). The challenges of ICT in Nigerian universities: A study of management information systems. Information Development, 37(4), 569–582.
Okolie, U. C., Igwe, P. A., & Elom, M. C. (2020). Improving student employability: Social and institutional drivers in Nigeria. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 10(3), 441–456.
Okonkwo, C. I., Uzoigwe, C. U., & Okwara, N. F. (2023). Management of entrepreneurship education programme in Nigerian universities: A catalyst for sustainable national development. African Journal of Educational Research and Development, 13(1), 101–115.
Osodeke, E. (2024, October 3). Universities shutting down—ASUU rues ₦200–₦300m monthly electricity bill. Daily Trust. https://dailytrust.com/universities-on-verge-of-collapse-over-huge-electricity-bill-asuu/
Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y. (2010). Business model generation: A handbook for visionaries, game changers, and challengers. Wiley.
Punch. (2023, November 15). 40% IGR deduction will impoverish varsities, says ASUU. https://punchng.com/40-igr-deduction-will-impoverish-varsities-says-asuu/
Scott, W. R. (2014). Institutions and organizations: Ideas, interests, and identities (4th ed.). Sage.
Siegel, D. S., & Wright, M. (2015). University technology transfer offices, licensing, and start-ups. In A. N. Link, D. S. Siegel, & M. Wright (Eds.), The Chicago handbook of university technology transfer and academic entrepreneurship (pp. 1–40). University of Chicago Press.
UNESCO. (2021). Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for education. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000379707
University of Oxford Innovation. (2023). Annual report and financial statements 2022/2023. https://innovation.ox.ac.uk/news/annual-report-2023/
Usman, M. H., Muhammad, S. M., & Kassim, S. I. (2025). The effect of FinTech on MSMEs' performance: The mediating role of financial inclusion. FUDMA Journal of Accounting and Finance Research (FUJAFR), 3(2), 106–120.
World Bank. (2020). The digital economy for Africa: Promoting inclusive growth and job creation. https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/all-africa-digital-economy
World Bank. (2022). Reimagining higher education in Africa. https://www.worldbank.org/
Wright, M., Siegel, D. S., & Mustar, P. (2017). An emerging ecosystem for student start-ups. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 42(4), 909–922.
Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An introductory analysis (2nd ed.). Harper & Row.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Sage.
Yusuf, A., Shehu, H., & Haruna, M. (2023). ICT innovation and youth employability in Northern Nigeria: A case of Ahmadu Bello University. ICT in Africa Journal, 4(2), 61–78.
Yusuf, S., Nabeshima, K., & Perkins, D. H. (2023). How universities promote economic growth. World Bank Publications. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/7173
Zavale, N., & Schneijderberg, C. (2024). University and academics’ societal engagement in sub-Saharan Africa: Benefits, drivers, and constraints of knowledge production. Routledge.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Kabiru Sa’ad Sa'id, Umar Musa Kallah, Bashir Mahmood Baffa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The FUDMA Journal of Accounting and Finance Research (FUJAFR) operates a copyright policy that ensures a balance between author rights and wide dissemination of scholarly work.
1. Author Copyright Retention
Authors retain full copyright of their published work without restriction. Submission to FUJAFR does not transfer ownership of copyright to the journal.
2. License to Publish
By submitting a manuscript and upon acceptance, authors grant FUJAFR:
- The right to publish, reproduce, and distribute the article
- The right to identify itself as the original publisher of the work
This grant is non-exclusive, meaning authors are free to reuse their work in other contexts, provided proper acknowledgment of the original publication in FUJAFR is made.
3. Licensing of Published Content
All articles are published under the:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Under this license:
- Users may share and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes only
- Proper attribution to the author(s) and the journal is required
- Any commercial use requires explicit permission from the copyright holder
4. Author Reuse Rights
Authors are permitted to:
- Archive their published articles in institutional repositories or personal websites
- Share their work for educational and research purposes
- Reuse portions of their work in future publications (e.g., books or other articles), provided proper citation of the original publication is included
5. Third-Party Content
Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to use any third-party copyrighted material (e.g., images, tables, datasets) included in their manuscripts. Proper acknowledgment must be provided where required.
6. Attribution Requirement
All users of FUJAFR content must provide appropriate credit, including:
- Author name(s)
- Article title
- Journal name (FUJAFR)
- Year of publication
