EFFECT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION ON SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYABILITY OF NIGERIAN GRADUATES IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

In Nigeria, despite the integration of entrepreneurship education in every degree programme
in the tertiary institutions, yet there are many graduates had been unemployed and the growth
of small businesses has been on a decline. This study examines the effect of entrepreneurship
education on small business development among Nigerian graduates in Nasarawa State. The
survey research design was adopted, and a sample of 769 Batch A National Youth Service
Corps members who are owners/managers of businesses in Nasarawa State was drawn using
multi-stage sampling. The primary data was collected via a structured questionnaire in a Likert
scale format, and the quantitative data was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural
Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The study found a positive and significant relationship
between entrepreneurial practical skills, entrepreneurial knowledge, internship, and small
business development. Based on the results, the study recommends that the government and
educational institutions should focus on developing and implementing programs that equip
students with practical entrepreneurial skills, comprehensive knowledge and skills in
entrepreneurship, and internship opportunities to enhance their employability and provide
businesses with potential employees possessing relevant skills and experience.