Page 1 of 1

Journal for Studies in Management and Planning

Available at

http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/

ISSN: 2395-0463

Volume 04 Issue 01

January 2018

Available online: http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/ P a g e | 102

Entrepreneurial Skills Development as a

Panacea to Rising Youth Unemployment in

Nigeria: A Survey of South East Geo- Political Zone of Nigeria

Isiaku Emmanuel Sunday

Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu Department of Office Technology and

Management

Corresponding Email: isiakuemmanuel439@gmai.com

ABSTRACT

The central objective of this paper was to find out the role of entrepreneurial skills

development as a panacea to rising youth unemployment in Nigeria: A Survey of South-East

Geo-Political Zone of Nigeria. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design.

This study is localized in the five states that make up the geo-political zone namely Abia,

Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States. A total sample size of 2,600 respondents was

drawn by stratified random sampling using multi-stage random sampling techniques from

five selected tertiary institutions in the study area; one from each state. Questionnaire was

used for data collection. Data were analyzed using mean scores, pooled mean and standard

deviation (SD) while the hypotheses were tested using Z-Test statistics at 0.05 level of

significance. The following findings were made; rising unemployment situation in the zone

is due to mismatch in the education system; poor teaching and learning infrastructures in

schools; lack of incentives to kick-start a small business on graduation; more emphasis on

theory and less emphasis on practical; and lack of support from and acceptance by

industries and firms for industrial training. Entrepreneurial skills development as a solution

to youth unemployment helps in the promotion of self reliance; encourages wealth creation

and productivity; reduces excess dependence on public service employment; promotes

productive skills, innovation and creativity and therefore is a measure against poverty. To

promote entrepreneurial skills development in South East Nigeria; relevant teaching

facilities should be put in place by appropriate authorities; the gap between theory and

practice should be bridged; financial incentives should be made available to competent and

talented youths with passion for entrepreneurship.

Key words: Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Skills Development, Panacea, Youth

Unemployment, Nigeria, South East Geo-Political Zone