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Measures for Improving the Entrepreneurial Skills Development of University Students in Nigeria

Margaret Uchenna Chukwurah PhD, Onwubuya, Uju Nkiru PhD, Ateb Thomas Andortan, Atah Cletus Akpo PhD

Abstract

The study employed a descriptive survey design and was conducted across all universities in Cross River State. The population consisted of 1,724 students in the Faculty of Education, with 820 male and 680 female students. Data was collected using a 12-item structured questionnaire titled Measures for Improving the Entrepreneurial Skills Development of University Students (MIESDUSQ). The questionnaire items were designed on a four-point Likert scale: Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree. To ensure the instrument’s reliability, a trial test was conducted on 60 students from the Faculty of Education at Ebonyi State University, who were not part of the primary study population. The reliability coefficient was calculated using the Cronbach Alpha method, resulting in a score of 0.74. Research assistants aided in distributing the questionnaire to the respondents. The analysis of research questions was performed using mean and standard deviation; mean scores above the cut-off value of 2.50 indicated agreement, while scores below 2.50 indicated disagreement. Additionally, the t-test statistic was employed to test the null hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. The study's findings indicated that curriculum enhancement and alignment with industry needs, along with access to practical training and mentorship programs, significantly improve the entrepreneurial skills of university students in Nigeria. In other words, implementing these strategies would enhance the development of entrepreneurial skills among university students in Nigeria. Based on these findings, it was recommended, among other things, that universities establish robust practical training programs to provide students with real-world experiences. This could include mandatory internships, cooperative education placements, and hands-on workshops in collaboration with local businesses and industries.

Keywords

Measuresimprovingentrepreneurial skills and development of University

References

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