This paper examines the pivotal role of entrepreneurship and innovation in tertiary institutions as drivers of capacity building and sustainable development. It explores how higher education institutions serve as catalysts for entrepreneurial thinking, skill acquisition, and technological advancement others include fostering entrepreneurship mind, innovation hubs and incubators, industry partnerships and collaboration, research and development, and community engagement. The study highlights global best practices, in entrepreneurship innovation, faculty training, experiential learning and capacity building in tertiary institutions across the globe and the integration of sustainable development goals (SDGs) to entrepreneurship and sustainable development, fostering innovation and problem solving, and the importance of policy and structural reforms to support innovation ecosystems within and outside the campuses such as reducing unemployment, stimulating economic growth, promoting creativity, innovations and foster industry collaboration. Recommendations are made to improve institutional frameworks, funding mechanisms, promote experiential learning, leverage and pedagogical approaches to align education with leverage sustainable development goals (SDGs) imperatives.
Key Terms: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Tertiary institutions, Students, Capacity building
