Entrepreneurship Education and Unemployment: The Alleviation Paradigm

Abstract

Addressing employment creation and poverty reduction should not be treated in isolation, as it requires the adoption of diverse strategies. For Nigeria to achieve meaningful economic growth and development, its education system must serve as a foundational element. Entrepreneurship education is widely regarded as a cornerstone for job creation and sustainable development. This study focused on examining the impact of entrepreneurship education on unemployment reduction in Nigeria, guided by a formulated hypothesis. Utilizing a survey design, data were collected from a sample of 585 entrepreneurs in Nigeria's South East region through a structured questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert Scale aligned with the study's objectives. The hypothesis was tested using a Z-test statistic at a 0.05 significance level. Results revealed a significant positive impact of entrepreneurship education on reducing unemployment in Nigeria. Consequently, the study concluded that sound policies on entrepreneurship education could foster job creation, economic growth, and development. Among its recommendations, the study advocated for the integration of entrepreneurship courses at all educational levels to shift the mindset from job-seeking to job creation after graduation.