The Madonna University Centre for Entrepreneurship and Development Research (MUCEDR) is instituted by the Founder of Madonna University Nigeria, shortly after he received the Charter by the Federal Government to take of as the first Private University in Nigeria. Owing to his passionate desire to salvage the problems surrounding education system then, and Nigerian youths because of unemployment, the Centre was instituted in 2004 and dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and driving economic development through rigorous research, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships. This is why the training Centre was named after his name EMPEDE an acronym for Emmanuel Mathew Paul Ede. MUCEDR has emerged as a leading hub for interdisciplinary research and knowledge dissemination in the fields of entrepreneurship, business development, and socio-economic advancement.With a mission to empower aspiring entrepreneurs, enhance the capacities of existing businesses, and contribute to sustainable growth and prosperity in Nigeria and beyond, MUCEDR conducts cutting-edge research on various aspects of entrepreneurship, including but not limited to:

• Entrepreneurial ecosystems and policy analysis: Investigating the regulatory environment, government policies, and support structures impacting entrepreneurship at local, regional, and national
• Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development: Studying the challenges and opportunities faced by SMEs in Nigeria, identifying best practices, and developing tailored interventions to promote their growth and
• Innovation and technology entrepreneurship: Exploring the role of innovation, technology adoption, and digital transformation in driving entrepreneurial success and fostering economic
• Access to finance and venture capital: Assessing the landscape of financing options available to entrepreneurs,

       addressing barriers to capital access, and promoting alternative funding mechanisms such as venture capital, angel investment, and            crowdfunding.

• Entrepreneurial education and capacity building: Designing and implementing training programs, workshops, and mentorship initiatives to equip aspiring and existing entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to succeed in the dynamic business

In addition to its research activities, MUCEDR actively engages with stakeholders from academia, government, industry, and civil society to facilitate knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and collaborative initiatives aimed at catalyzing entrepreneurship-led development in Nigeria. Through strategic partnerships with universities, research institutions, business associations, and international organizations, CEDR leverages its expertise and resources to generate actionable insights, inform policy decisions, and drive positive change at the grassroots and national levels.