Exploring The Nexus Between Entrepreneurship Development And Employment Generation In Nigeria: A Policy Perspective
Sodeinde Gbemi Moses
Department of Business Administration, Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Nigeria
Akinyemi Kayode Abiodun
Department of Economics, Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Nigeria
Oke Oluwakayode David
Department of Business Administration, Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, Nigeria
Fasanmi, Olumuyiwa Oladapo
Dept. of Entrepreneurial Studies, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science &Technology., Ikere – Ekiti, Nigeria,
Oluwaseun Oluwadamilare Oluwasanmi
Department of Business Management, School of Management and Social Sciences Miva Open University
Keywords: Entrepreneurship Development, Employment generation, Nigeria, Nigeria Youth, job creation
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between entrepreneurship development and employment generation in Nigeria, with specific focus on Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State. Adopting a descriptive survey research design, the study targets entrepreneurs operating small and medium scale enterprises, youths engaged in start-up ventures, informal sector traders, unemployed individuals seeking entrepreneurial opportunities, and officials of entrepreneurship development agencies, local government departments, and non governmental organizations involved in enterprise and youth empowerment. A sample size of 120 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling across major sub areas of Kosofe LGA, namely Ketu, Ojota, Mile 12, Alapere, and Agboyi. Data were collected through structured questionnaires complemented with secondary data from government publications, academic journals, and development agency reports. Findings reveal a significant positive relationship between entrepreneurship development initiatives and employment generation in Nigeria, as respondents generally agreed that such initiatives have contributed to job creation and empowered individuals to become job creators. The study also found that entrepreneurship training significantly enhances youths’ employability and likelihood of self employment. However, perceptions regarding the effectiveness of government led entrepreneurship programs were mixed, suggesting the need for improved accessibility and impact at the community level.The study concludes that entrepreneurship development, particularly through targeted training and supportive policies, plays a vital role in addressing unemployment challenges in Nigeria. It therefore recommends increased investment in entrepreneurship education, access to finance, and supportive institutional frameworks to strengthen employment generation and sustainable economic development.
References
Adebayo, F. O., & Olorunsola, A. J. (2020). Women entrepreneurs and financial inclusion in Nigeria: A critical perspective. African Development Review, 32(3), 288–300.
Adebayo, O., & Kolawole, T. (2020). Entrepreneurship development and employment generation in Nigeria. African Journal of Economic Policy, 27(1), 88–102.
Adebayo, S. O., & Kolawole, M. O. (2022). The role of government policies in youth entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. African Journal of Business and Economic Development, 8(1), 44–56.
Adelekan, A. S., & Alao, D. A. (2021). Access to finance and the performance of SMEs in Nigeria. Journal of Finance and Economic Research, 5(2), 64–80.
Adeola, O., & Akanbi, M. (2020). Entrepreneurial training and job creation among Nigerian youth: A study of N-Power programme beneficiaries. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, 7(2), 1–17.
Aja-Okorie, U., & Adali, O. (2019). Entrepreneurship education and youth empowerment in Nigeria. International Journal of Advanced Research, 7(4), 105–112.
Aliyu, M., & Abdullahi, S. (2021). Impact of entrepreneurship support programs on employment in Northern Nigeria. Journal of Development Studies, 12(3), 22–38.
Edeh, J. N., & Eze, M. I. (2021). Youth entrepreneurship in Nigeria: Societal perception and challenges. Journal of African Business and Entrepreneurship, 8(1), 56–71.
Eneh, O. C., & Ogbu, H. (2020). Entrepreneurship development and graduate unemployment in Nigeria: A study of Enugu State. Journal of Economics and Management Sciences, 5(1), 28–39.
Eze, T. I., & Nwali, A. C. (2021). Entrepreneurship education and youth employment in Nigeria: A critical review. African Journal of Business Management, 15(3), 45–52.
Eze, U. C., & Okonkwo, A. A. (2019). Impact of entrepreneurial training on youth employment in South-East Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Business Education, 6(3), 134–148.
Fayolle, A., & Gailly, B. (2015). The impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial attitudes and intention: Hysteresis and persistence. Journal of Small Business Management, 53(1), 75–93.
Ihugba, O. A., Odii, A., & Njoku, A. C. (2019). Challenges of youth entrepreneurship in Nigeria: Implications for job creation and economic growth. European Journal of Social Sciences, 57(1), 28–41.
National Bureau of Statistics. (2023). Labour force statistics: Unemployment and underemployment report Q4 2022.
Nwachukwu, S. L., & Onugu, B. A. (2020). Evaluating the performance of entrepreneurship development programs in Nigeria: Evidence from YouWiN. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy, 9(1), 75–92.
Nwankwo, E. C., Okoye, V. C., & Nnaji, P. A. (2022). Entrepreneurship development and youth employment in Nigeria: Appraising the role of public policy. Journal of Policy and Development Studies, 16(2), 95–108.
Ojo, M. O., Salami, A. T., & Ayoade, A. O. (2021). Impact of youth entrepreneurship training on job creation in Lagos State, Nigeria. International Journal of Social Science Research, 9(2), 15–29.
Ogunyomi, P. O., & Bruning, N. S. (2020). Entrepreneurship development and the role of human capital in Africa. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 41(4), 512–530.
Okafor, C. J., & Yusuf, B. O. (2023). Barriers to sustainable entrepreneurship in Nigerian SMEs: A local government area perspective. African Journal of Business and Economic Research, 18(1), 45–61.
Okafor, C. N., & Yusuf, T. A. (2023). The impact of entrepreneurship training on youth employability in Nigeria. Journal of African Business, 24(1), 101–120.
Okoye, C. O., & Eze, R. A. (2022). Entrepreneurial orientation and employment creation in Nigeria’s informal sector. Small Business Economics, 58(3), 953–970.
Olawale, F., & Garwe, D. (2018). Obstacles to the growth of new SMEs in Nigeria: A principal component analysis. African Journal of Business Management, 12(4), 112–127.
Olutuase, S. O., Brijlal, P., & Yan, B. (2020). Impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intentions of university students in Nigeria. The Journal of Entrepreneurship, 29(2), 195–216.
Salisu, A. A., & Adebayo, S. O. (2020). Constraints of entrepreneurship in Nigeria: A critical analysis. Global Journal of Management and Business Research, 20(5), 33–41.
Udu, A. A., & Agu, C. N. (2019). Entrepreneurship development and employment creation in Nigeria: The role of government policies. Nigerian Journal of Management Sciences, 8(1), 28–39.
Yusuf, I. A., Dauda, A., & Ahmed, H. (2021). Access to microfinance and employment creation among rural entrepreneurs in Northern Nigeria. Journal of Development Research and Practice, 2(1), 55–72.