The Principal of Sapati International School, Mr. Vincent Uwadiae; and his counterpart at Roemichs International School, Mr.Kevin Massey have said that pupils should be exposed early to entrepreneurial studies.

They stated that such is a veritable strategy to prepare pupils for self-reliance after graduation so as to solve the high unemployment rate and security challenges in the country.

While Uwadiae spoke to journalists during the school's inter-house sports athletics competition in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital; Massey spoke on Wednesday during Roemichs International School's open day in Ilorin.

They reiterated the commitment of their individual schools to provide quality and affordable education in a serene environment to the pupils.

Uwadiae said it is important to equip pupils with entrepreneurial skills so that they can even become wealth and job creators. He stated that entrepreneurship studies should not be limited to secondary schools but also extended to primary schools.

He said, "It is important to instill entrepreneurship studies and skills in pupils at an early stage. That is where we got it wrong in the past. Pupils here are made to at least acquire a skill. Our pupils are trained on how to be useful citizens. Some of them are trained how to bake, make shoes, and how to barb. Some of them will go on to run barbing salons, confectionary shop and others."

Massey who is Irish, said schools in Nigeria have realised the importance of entrepreneurship, adding that such will diversify Nigeria's economy from being dependent on oil revenue.

He said, "It is important to introduce pupils early to entrepreneurial studies. That will help in reducing high unemployment rate in the country. Every year our pupils go to university for their entrepreneurship debate and they perform well.

"Most Nigerians now realise that relying on oil does not lead to a stable future. Entrepreneurship is being recognised as a major factor in unemployment reduction.

"In the United Kingdom, companies are encouraged to set up small businesses because it provides employment and increase tax base. It is probably one of the best aspects of Nigerian education."