IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS ON POST GRADUATE ACHIEVEMENTS IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Entrepreneurial skill gives an individual an edge over his or her peers. One or a post graduate who has an entrepreneurial skill will always be an asset wherever he or she finds him/herself. Its benefits are too numerous to mention but we will touch a few in this research. In recent times, positive impacts of entrepreneurial skills and training have experienced a drastic increase in entrepreneurial education at various tertiary institutions in Nigeria and all around the world. Entrepreneurial education has for long been seen as a paramount facet of education or training for economic growth and enhancement, just because it offers a good number of job opportunities.

Deficiency of entrepreneurial skills cannot be argued that it is a key factor contributing to the increasing issue of unemployment of post graduates and youth in Nigeria. The incidence of post graduate/youth unemployment is linked to the educational system that was operated during pre and post-independence era in the country which pointed all hands on liberal education rather than acquisition of vocational skills which equips graduates and post graduates with vocational skills for better employment opportunities.

Entrepreneurship is a person’s strength to convert ideas into action, a person’s ability to own or run a business. An entrepreneur must be creative, innovative and have all it takes to take risk, as well as the ability to plan and manage projects in order to attain the desired goals. Entrepreneurship promotes innovation, competitiveness and economic growth. Assisting to grow entrepreneurial spirit reinforces the creation of new organizations and business growth. Entrepreneurship skills also render importance irrespective of whether a person sees their future as starting a business.

Entrepreneurship skills are a very important subject of much discussion and careful examination. Unlike other vital economic skills, entrepreneurial skills are not in any way linked to a particular occupation, discipline or qualification. However, the profound emphasis lead on entrepreneurship education and developing entrepreneurial skills has lead to more analysis and agreement of entrepreneurial strengths and competencies.

The growth and enhancement of entrepreneurship has transcended as a university function. Universities now train and produce the future powerful entrepreneurs. The qualities of university entrepreneurial students have become a topic of great concern and an alarm in the hearts of men. Entrepreneurial qualities comprises: searching for opportunities, taking the initiative, making decisions, following things up, noticing problems and finding creative solutions. The ability to detect some unique entrepreneurial personality attributes has made researchers to isolate future entrepreneurs from non-entrepreneurs. Factors enhancing entrepreneurial attitudes have been researched on. Attainment motivation and self-image have transcended as the main contributory factors. Family background, parenting style and educational background could foretell growth styles of the zest for enterprising among future entrepreneurs. These demographic factors also appeared to have a specific, major influence on building entrepreneurial types of personality. A high need for achievement, high entrepreneurial intention, instrumental readiness, high entrepreneurial acceptability, creative behavior, initiative taking, taking responsibilities, involvement in various types of risks, self-confidence, an internal locus of control, need for independence and autonomy, accomplishment of tasks with energy and commitment, team building, working in teams and independently, working under pressure, leading others, analytical competencies and persistency in following objectives have all transcended as the major quality of the entrepreneurial personality. Previous research proved that educational programs significantly influenced entrepreneurial attitudes of Uniosun post graduate students. A significant development in entrepreneurial attitudes was pointed out in post graduate university students due totaking part in entrepreneurial teaching programs. Therefore a person summarize that entrepreneurial skills have a great part to play in post graduate students achievements.  Also, educational schemes can provoke and make more active the hidden entrepreneurial skills of students.

STATEMENT OF THE GENERAL PROBLEM

Entrepreneurship skills acquired through entrepreneurial education has been recognized as an important aspect of organization and economies (Dickson et al, 2008). It contributes in an immeasurable ways toward creating new job, wealth creation, poverty reduction, and income generation for both government and individuals. Schumpeter in 1934 argued that entrepreneurial education is very significant to the growth and development of economies. Having understood the vital role of entrepreneurship in economic development, it become apparent that careful attention is needed to invest and promote entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, education is seen as one of the precondition for entrepreneurship development particularly in a place where the spirit and culture is very minimal. It is said to be an important determinant of selection into entrepreneurship, formation of new venture and entrepreneurial success (Dickson, Solomon and Weaver, 2008). However, it equally assumes here that there is a positive relationship between education and individual’s choice to become an entrepreneur as well as the result and outcome of his or her entrepreneurial activity.  The move toward poverty reduction should not be considered and treated in isolation, different approach and strategies need to be employed. For any country to foster genuine economic growth and development, its education system must be considered as basis and essential ingredient. Education is undisputedly considered as the bedrock of any meaningful development (FGN, 2004 in Akpomi 2009), be it economic, social or political.

 Adejimola and Olufunmilayo (2009) reported that about 80% of the graduates find it difficult to get employment every year. And at the same time much has not been done in trying to bring collaboration between the entrepreneurs and the institutions. However, entrepreneurial education can bridge the gap by equipping the undergraduate in becoming a successful entrepreneur thereby reducing unemployment. This study will however find out how the entrepreneurial education provided in the higher institution syllabus has prepared the students for future employment challenges.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

 The general objective of this study will examine the impact of entrepreneurial skills on post graduate achievements while the following are the specific objectives

1. To find out if entrepreneurial skills has been a useful tool for reducing unemployment in Nigeria.
2. To ascertain if there is compulsory entrepreneurial education for all post graduate students in higher institutions.
3. To find out if the available entrepreneurship education in institution can stimulate entrepreneurship skills in post graduate students.
4. To recommend ways of improving entrepreneurial skill acquisition in post graduate students

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the impact of entrepreneurial skills on post graduate achievements?
2. Has Entrepreneurial skill acquisition been a useful tool for reducing unemployment in Nigeria?
3. Is there a compulsory entrepreneurial skill acquisition program for all students in Nigerian higher institutions?
4. Has the available entrepreneurship education in institution stimulated entrepreneurship skills in post graduate students?

RESEARCH  HYPOTHESES

Ho: Entrepreneurial skills have no impact on post graduate achievements

H1: Entrepreneurial skills have an impact on post graduate achievements

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

 The significance of this study brings to the fore the crucial need for entrepreneurial education in Nigeria, putting more consideration on the educational system, strategies and its eventual social developmental effect in the society.

 The study highlights the problems of the level of education in the country and its equivalence to level of poverty in the society by virtue of lack of employment or knowledge of how to startup businesses; the resultant effect of which is a society that breeds healthy partnership and motivation, impacting on the development in the nation.

 However, the contribution of this research work to knowledge identifies what is important to the economy, which is qualitative entrepreneurial education focused on the needs of the economy per time, rather than the resolution of the United Nations to increase budgetary details, increasing the people that go through school. This is not the study on entrepreneurial education; however, it contribute to the body of literature on the subject area and brings to light the results in order to ascertain which strategy would eventually work for the Nigerian economy in truly eradicating unemployment in Nigeria.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

 The study examines the impact of entrepreneurial skills on post graduate achievements using UNIOSUN post graduate students as a case study.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.