Professor Nasir Hassan-Wagini of the Biology Department at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), Katsina State, urges students and young people to consider starting small businesses rather than relying solely on white-collar employment.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday, June 23, 2025, at a local market in Batsari, Katsina, where he sells vegetables, Hassan-Wagini shared his perspective.
He explained that he comes from a farming family and began selling produce at a young age. His journey recently drew public interest following his promotion to professor.
The professor said …
“My call to the NCE, Diploma and degree graduates is that they should feel free and start small businesses in their communities instead of staying idle,” he said.
“I’m a professor of plant resources at UMYU, I want youths and students to look at me, know my rank and position, and I still engage in small business of this nature.
“That may clear their minds because they feel ashamed and too-big to go into such type of small businesses.
“What matters is what you are contributing to the society. So, stop staying at home doing nothing when you did not get job, start with small businesses like this one.
“Our youths should stop going to other places looking for job, they should get into farming and other small businesses to become self-reliant.
“Self-reliance is key to successful life. Try to merge your education with vocational skills for your own good.”
