Open University of Entrepreneurship

Vice Chancellor’s Message

It is both an honour and a responsibility to serve as Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (OUEED). In a world defined by rapid transformation, uncertainty, and opportunity, education must evolve beyond traditional boundaries to empower individuals not only to adapt—but to lead, innovate, and create meaningful impact.

At OUEED, we stand at the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and enterprise. We believe that learning is not confined to classrooms, nor is it limited by geography, age, or prior experience. Rather, it is a lifelong journey—one that equips individuals with the mindset, skills, and resilience required to navigate and shape an ever-changing global landscape.

Our vision is grounded in the belief that entrepreneurship is not merely about starting businesses; it is about cultivating a way of thinking—creative, ethical, and purpose-driven. It is about empowering individuals to identify opportunities, solve real-world problems, and contribute to sustainable economic and social development within their communities and beyond.

As educators and leaders, our role extends beyond knowledge transmission. We are called to inspire, to challenge, and to create learning environments that are inclusive, culturally responsive, and transformative. At OUEED, we are committed to fostering such environments—where diversity is celebrated, innovation is encouraged, and every learner is supported to realise their full potential.

In alignment with global priorities, including sustainable development and inclusive growth, we strive to prepare graduates who are not only competent professionals but responsible global citizens. Individuals who understand that enterprise and leadership carry a responsibility—to act ethically, to contribute meaningfully, and to lead with integrity.

As we look to the future, OUEED will continue to expand its reach, strengthen its academic offerings, and deepen its impact across communities and industries. We invite learners, educators, and partners from around the world to join us in this shared mission of shaping the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.

Together, we are not just educating minds—we are building futures.

Prof. Dr. Siham El-Kafafi
Vice Chancellor Open University of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (OUEED)

Entrepreneurship is at the heart of every business. Every large company started out as a small business, led by an entrepreneur. As our economy becomes more volatile, having the skills and knowledge to start a new business may mean the difference between prosperity and poverty.

Entrepreneurial skills are also in demand in established companies. Every business, large or small, must be entrepreneurial just to survive. Innovative thinking has replaced "do it our way" as the rallying cry of the corporation. Students who learn to think independently flourish in chaotic environments and to keep cool under pressure are in high demand. Our programme is designed to build entrepreneurial skills step by step.

At OUEEM, entrepreneurship is at the core of every student’s education. The entrepreneurship concentration deepens this experience and broadens its applicability. You will develop your ability to think and act entrepreneurially through discovery and practice, learning how entrepreneurs introduce new business opportunities in a variety of contexts (startups, growth-stage ventures, family enterprises, established organizations, social or community ventures, etc.). This may include roles as founders, employees, or other types of stakeholders such as advisors, financiers, or service providers.

The entrepreneurship concentration provides flexibility for you to design your own path to pursue your particular interests across the most extensive entrepreneurship curriculum, and with the largest entrepreneurship faculty, at the top school for entrepreneurship in Africa. Given that new and small businesses account for the majority of new employment in the Nigeria and many economies around the world, and that entrepreneurs are a key contributor to the social, environmental and economic health of every society, the unique and practical skills you develop at OUEEM will open up exciting career options.

FROM THE FOUNDER'S DESK

The world has changed. Employers are no longer looking at certificates. They are looking for skills, for want of a better word – “sabificate” (possession of both exceptional skills and a corresponding certification). It is essential to get hard and soft skills to address unemployment and poverty problems. Employers are no longer looking at certificates, they are looking for skills. A degree is no longer a guarantee of employment and emphasizes the importance of acquiring practical skills. It also highlights the changing expectations of employers.

Having the right entrepreneurship and enterprise education with skills that matter is essential for employability in today’s job market. Employers are looking for candidates who possess practical skills that can be applied in the workplace, and those who stay up-to-date with the latest skills and trends will have a better chance of success. It is important to invest in skill development and make it a priority in your career journey. This is the emphasis of Open University of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development as captured by its slogan of “sabification and not certification” – describing: 1. the quality of a person, highly skilled and has a certification for the skill. 2. a person who possesses both exceptional skills and a corresponding certification in a particular field or discipline 3. an individual who is highly skilled and has obtained formal recognition through certification for their expertise in a specific area. The term reflects the importance placed on both knowledge and certification in recognizing and validating expertise, highlighting the individual's mastery of a particular skill, acquired through comprehensive training and the attainment of recognized qualifications.

Quality of education in most of the developing countries is compromised and the educational institutions are just producing graduates with a degree but without the required skills. On the other hand, the job market requires skills as most recently google has waived the requirement for a degree or diploma and they are focusing on skills. I believe that a degree from a good institution embeds skills but this may not be the case in most of the institutions in developing countries.

Open University of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development, New Zealand/India (OUEED) is not a Nigerian university requiring NUC accreditation. It is a global premier open and distance learning professional university, dedicated to entrepreneurship and enterprise education, operating completely under foreign curriculum and international accreditations and recognitions.

Foreign universities without physical campus in Nigeria, even if they offer online, distance, or satellite programmes to Nigerians—do not fall under NUC jurisdiction. These institutions do not require NUC accreditation. Instead, if interested, they are evaluated by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), which is the government body responsible for assessing foreign certificates and determining their equivalence to Nigerian qualifications. This is not limited to only Open University of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development, examples abound of several universities operating valid non-Nigerian, non-NUC-accredited pathways.

While the NUC regulates universities within Nigeria, foreign-based institutions answer only to the accreditation bodies in their respective countries. The NUC and the Federal Ministry of Education do not accredit these schools, but they do evaluate and recognize them, upon request.

The Open University of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development, New Zealand/India –OUEED (formerly College of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management - CESBM), is a Pentad - ISO Certified premier open and distance learning institution, dedicated to entrepreneurship and enterprise education. OUEED is recognized and accredited by the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency of the African Council for Distance (ACDE-QAAA); institutionally and programmatically accredited the by Board of Quality Standards (BQS) - a member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), recognized by CHEA, and professionally recognized by the Global Association for Chartered Certified Entrepreneurs (GLOBACCENT®).

Open University of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development offers globally recognized ground-breaking professional certificate, diploma, undergraduate and graduate programmes by integrating Recognition of Prior Learning or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (RPL or APEL), Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE) and Competency-Based Evaluations (CBE) aligning professional practice with academic recognition and professional institutional awards such as Bachelor/Master/Doctor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr, MEntr, and DEntr); Bachelor/Master/Doctor of Commerce (B.Com, M.Com, and D.Com); Bachelor/Master/Doctor of Vocation (B.Voc, M. Voc, and D. Voc); Bachelor/Master/Doctor of Business Administration (BBA, MBA, and DBA).

Open University of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development has been accredited by the International Peace Human Rights Education Council, India. The International Peace Human Rights Education Council® (IPHREC) is an esteemed institution that operates under the legal framework of the Government of India and is registered under the West Bengal Institutions and Establishments Act of 1963. It is also recognized and registered under the Government of MSME, India, highlighting its commitment to regulatory compliance and excellence in its operations. Additionally, IPHREC is registered under the Establishment Act of 1954 and is also registered under the Government of Delhi, India, further solidifying its legal standing and commitment to operating within regulatory frameworks. IPHREC's global recognition is highlighted by its acknowledgment and recognition by various international bodies. It is recognized by the European Agency for Higher Education & Accreditation (EAHEA) with Institution ID: 24RC0705017, demonstrating its credibility and adherence to international education standards. Moreover, IPHREC is registered by the EUROPIAN COMMISSION with PIC: 879510544, further solidifying its global recognition and standing.

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