Pankshin varsity trains students on career development, small businesses

ByEmmanuel Yatai

August 12, 2026

The Federal University of Education, Pankshin (FUEP), had launched a career development and entrepreneurship training programme to prepared its education students for self-reliance and modern job market.

Declaring the training open on Wednesday, Prof. Noel Wannang, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, said that academic qualifications alone might not be sufficient to navigate the challenges of employment.

The Vice-Chancellor was ably represented by Prof. Anthonia Chukwu, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics).

Wannang said, students need to understand the various career pathways available to them, develop relevant skills, and acquire the knowledge and competence to create a sustainable enterprise.

He urged the students to take advantage of the training programme to create employment for themselves and others.

Dr Joshua Ndit, the Director of the university’s Career Development Centre, said the programme was initiated and sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to prepared students to be self-employed after graduation.

“This programme was designed to broaden students’ understanding of career opportunities beyond the traditional classroom, and to equip them with practical knowledge and skills for entrepreneurship to become self-employed,” he said.

Prof. Solomon Mangvwat, the Director of External Programmes, presented a paper titled “Exploring and Developing Career Pathways for Education Students.”

He defined career pathways as a structured routes that enable individuals to progress from education and training into meaningful employment and career advancement.

According to him, education was a profession that offers better opportunities than any other field. Although every teaching profession begins in the classroom, and extends far beyond it.

“Many of you enter the faculty with the dream of teaching, but not everyone will end up as a teacher. Teaching, educational administration, guidance and counselling, and technological companies.

“Also, publishing houses, curriculum planning and development, and entrepreneurship are all career pathways where you must carve a niche for yourselves.

“We are not training you to be teachers alone; we are training you to discover your full potential with the right skills and discipline to be productive and visible beyond the classroom,” he said.

He said “many directors, heads of agencies, and political leaders today were once teachers. So, do not limit your potential and personality; continuous learning and adaptability will keep you relevant”.

Dr Rufina Tuamyil spoke on “Starting and Sustaining Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).” She explained that SMEs are businesses that can be started and managed by an individual or a group of 10 to 49 people.

“As students, you can start by identifying the problems in your environment, because every problem presents an opportunity. You can start with snacks, laundry services, printing, agribusiness, and other ventures.

“The digital economy also enables you to create content using your phones, advertise products and services, make cash transfers, and offer Point of Sale (POS) services to earn a living,” she said.

According to her, the small-scale nature of these businesses made them easier to start, manage, and finance through personal savings, grants, and loans using a viable business plan.

“To sustain your business, you must embrace innovation, consistency, quality maintenance, excellent customer service, proper accounting records, profit reinvestment, strong networking, continuous learning, ethical values, and integrity,” she added.

In his closing remarks, Mr Longtong Yadok, the Registrar, commended TETFund for initiating and sponsoring the training. He also thanked the university management and the resource persons for their support.

The Registrar was represented by Mr Aaron Yatu, a Senior Deputy Registrar of the university.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training programme was tagged “Exploring and Developing Career Pathways for Education Students, Starting and Sustaining Small and Medium Enterprises”.(NAN)