INFLUENCEOFENTREPRENEURSHIPEDUCATIONONTHEACQUISITIONOF ENTREPRENEURIALSKILLSANDINTENTIONSAMONGBUSINESS EDUCATIONSTUDENTSINTERTIARYINSTITUTIONSINTHENORTH EASTERNZONEOFNIGERIA.
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Date
2026-05-01
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KWASU Journal of The Business of Education
Abstract
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of entrepreneurship education on the acquisition of
entrepreneurial skills and intentions among Business Education students in tertiary institutions in
Nigeria’s North-Eastern zone. The research was motivated by the persistent unemployment among
graduates, despite mandatory entrepreneurship education in the curriculum. Two research questions
and two hypotheses were formulated for the study at a significance level of 0.05. A mixed-methods
explanatory design was employed, integrating quantitative data from 269 students using a structured
questionnaire and qualitative insights from 11 class representatives through interviews. Findings
revealed that entrepreneurship education significantly enhanced students’ technical competencies
such as communication proficiency, problem-solving, and ICT application with a weighted mean of
3.07. It also positively shaped entrepreneurial intentions, including students’ desire to start businesses
and develop leadership and opportunity-recognition skills, with a weighted mean of 3.16. A significant
gender difference was found in technical skill acquisition (p < 0.05), favouring male students, while
state-based analysis showed varied levels of influence on entrepreneurial intention. The study
concluded that entrepreneurship education is a vital catalyst for job creation, self-reliance, and
national development. It recommends improved pedagogical approaches and infrastructure support in
tertiary institutions to bolster entrepreneurial capacity and reduce youth unemployment in Nigeria.
Keywords: Entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial skills, entrepreneurial intention,
Business Education, technical skills, tertiary institutions, North-Eastern Nigeria.