When Dutch business students meet bold Nigerian entrepreneurs, theory is turned into practice and practice into impact. And that’s exactly what unfolded when Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) students teamed up with Orange Corners Nigeria entrepreneurs as part of the African Dynamics course at the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus (LDE) universities.
Armed with frameworks on sustainability, inclusive business and social impact, the students were challenged to apply their classroom knowledge to real businesses: Zayith Foods, known for its healthy local food products, and Mellopads, a brand creating eco-friendly sanitary pads and other period products. Over just a few sessions, the students dived headfirst into the entrepreneurs’ worlds, learning about their missions, struggles and ambitions. They listened carefully, asked bold questions and set out to co-create ideas that could drive real impact.
The results? Surprisingly good for such a short collaboration. From a yoghurt refill station concept that instantly sparked excitement, to recycling programmes, digital tools and new grant opportunities, the students’ suggestions were practical, creative and immediately relevant.
“I was genuinely impressed by how the students translated theory into operational, value-adding ideas,” said our OCIF Nigeria Coordinator and RSM alumna Rachel van der Pol. “You could see the entrepreneurs making notes and getting inspired in real time, which was wonderful to watch.”
Connecting academic thinking with entrepreneurial action, our Orange Corners Nigeria entrepreneurs left with fresh insights and concrete next steps, while students experienced what it truly means to make academic knowledge matter in the real world.
“It’s amazing what came out of just a few online sessions,” Rachel reflected. “You could really feel the energy of co-creation and I’m sure some of these ideas will be carried forward!”
