Students of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, put classroom learning into practice at the Mini Entrepreneurship Exhibition on Saturday, October 17, 2026, showcasing business ideas and products ranging from rechargeable fan rentals to crafts and food items.
Organized by the AUN Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub in collaboration with the School of Business and Entrepreneurship (SBE), the exhibition took place at the Commencement Hall Lobby. About 25 student groups showcased their businesses, with approximately 200 students participating as exhibitors and customers.
The Dean of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Yusuf Kani, said AUN introduces students to entrepreneurship in their first year, combining theoretical instruction with practical business activities.
He explained that Entrepreneurship 101 introduces students to the theoretical aspects of business, while Entrepreneurship 201 focuses on practical training. Through these courses, students learn to develop business ideas, prepare budgets, and acquire the skills needed to establish their own ventures. Dr. Kani added that some AUN alumni had gone on to establish businesses and create employment opportunities for others.
Dr. Adeleke Banwa, an SBE instructor, said the exhibition allowed students to apply what they had learned in the classroom while gaining experience in presenting and selling their products. He added that the exhibition formed part of the students’ course assessment and attracted participants beyond those enrolled in ENT 101 and BUS 101.
Another instructor, Dr. Kazim Olawale Okushola, emphasized the importance of experiential learning in preparing students for the business world. He said the approach encourages students to develop practical skills and pursue opportunities to establish businesses. “What we are doing in AUN is that we are trying to actually come up with job creators, not job seekers,” he said.
AUN Provost Prof. Bolade Agboola commended the students’ creativity and their efforts to turn classroom ideas into practical business ventures. “It's quite exciting to be here, seeing our Year 1 students mostly doing all this exciting innovation, having all these great ideas coming from classroom ideas, turning it into business ventures, entrepreneurship,” he said.
He noted that some of the projects had the potential to grow into larger businesses. He also commended faculty and staff for supporting the students and disclosed that he had purchased several items at the exhibition.
The university’s Vice President of Finance, Ms. Nnenna Mosugu, praised the students for their confidence in approaching customers and their understanding of the products they were selling. “One of the things is your boldness to step out and get your customers. Another is your understanding of your product. I've seen all of that play out here,” she said.
Ms. Mosugu said she had rented a fan from Breeze2 Go Fan Brand and purchased perfumes and books from other student businesses. She described the fan-rental concept as exceptional and expressed confidence in the students’ potential to contribute to economic growth.
Among the businesses on display was Breeze2 Go Fan Brand, a student-led venture that rents rechargeable fans to students and faculty members on campus.
Telma Dalington, a Law student and leader of the business group, said the venture was established to provide a convenient cooling option for members of the university community. She explained that customers rent the fans for a specified period and pay for the service. Each fan has an identification number that enables the group to track the equipment and identify it when it is returned.
Another exhibitor, Precious Chiosa, a Business Administration student, said her group offered crafts and accessories, including keychains and bracelets, alongside affordable snacks. She explained that the business idea emerged from needs the group had identified on campus.
Reported by Jummai Paul