Abia School Innovation Programme, Empowering Teachers and Students with Hands-On Entrepreneurship and Community Impact Skills
Umuahia, Abia State — SAGE Nigeria has officially announced the commencement of the Abia School Innovation Programme (ASIP), a transformative initiative designed to equip secondary school teachers and students with practical entrepreneurship, innovation, and community service capabilities across 10 government-nominated secondary schools in Abia State.
A press statement signed by Nene Iroha, National Coordinator, SAGE Nigeria on Monday, February 16, 2026 said the programme began with the intensive training of participating teachers, who are now being equipped with modern, project-based methods for teaching hands-on entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and social impact education.
The statement said upon completion, these educators will become part of the global SAGE network of enterprise teachers spanning continents, positioning Abia State within an international ecosystem of youth entrepreneurship development.
The programme is structured to build entrepreneurial teachers, establish student-led enterprises, provide mentorship, and prepare schools for state and national competitions—ultimately creating a sustainable pipeline of innovation-driven young leaders in Abia State.
What Abia Students Will Learn
Participating students will gain practical knowledgeand real-world experience in:
• Entrepreneurial mindset development
• Identifying real community problems andopportunities
• Business idea creation and simple marketresearch
• Branding, storytelling, and digital business tools
• Financial literacy, teamwork, and leadership
• Pitching, presentation, and enterprisemanagement
Students will also create real or simulated businesses, develop simple business plans, sell products or services where possible, and track income and expenses—ensuring learning goes beyond theory into measurable economic and social value.
“SAGE Nigeria warmly commends His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, for his visionary commitment to education reform, youth empowerment, and innovation-driven economic development in Abia State. The organisation also applauds the Permanent Secretary, Basic Education, for the exceptional coordination and dedication that made the successful launch of this programme possible.
“This collaboration reflects a bold and forward-looking investment in Abia’s young people—one that will nurture future entrepreneurs, job creators, innovators, and community leaders capable of driving inclusive prosperity across thestate and beyond.
Nominated Schools:
1. Abayi Girls Secondary School
2. Williams Memorial Secondary School
3. Abayi Model Secondary School
4. Uzuakoli Boys Secondary School
5. Collins Memorial College Ohafia
6. Model High School Ebem Ohafia
7. Ibeku High School
8. Wining Youth Christian Academy
9. Chez Mican Schools
10. Master Touch International School Umueze
“With ASIP, Abia State takes a decisive step towardembedding entrepreneurship, innovation, andreal-world problem-solving at the heart ofsecondary school education—positioning the stateas a national leader in school-basedenterprise development and youth innovation.
“SAGE Nigeria remains committed to working with government, schools, private sector partners, and communities to ensure that every participating student gains the confidence, competence, and character required to succeed in the modern economy and contribute meaningfully to society.
