Recent Trends in Entrepreneurship Education in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges

Dr. Sola Aliu, Hamitle Consults Nigeria Ltd
Dr. Gregory Ibe, Entrepreneurship Development Centre

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Nigeria, like other African countries, is faced with the challenges of globalization and trade liberalization. The structural adjustment programme has meant a considerable reduction in public sector job placements thus leading to graduate unemployment and/or under-employment; with consequent implications on youth restiveness and security of life and property. In 2006, the Presidency directed all Nigerian Higher Education Institutions to include Entrepreneurship Education (EEd) as a compulsory course for all students with effect from the 2007/2008 academic session.

The EEd goal is to inculcate in the trainees the ability to:
 
1. Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking;
2. Work effectively with others as a proactive team member and cultivate the ability to resolve conflict;
3. Organize and manage one-self and one’s activities
4. Collect, analyze, organize and critically evaluate information (to make decisions that must be carried through);
5. Communicate and negotiate effectively;
6. Reflect on experiences and explore various strategies for effective learning … learning to learn at all times;
7. Become curious leading to readiness to experiment and innovate (being never satisfied with the status quo); and
8. Consider self-employment as a viable option upon graduation from their institution.

This on-going study involves field observations and interviews with faculty and students from selected universities and polytechnics that are already implementing the EEd programme. The objective is to provide the needed feedbacks to government (through the supervising agencies), intervention funds and development partners that will affect smooth implementation across board.

Interim results from this study shows that the prospects for improved productivity and local economic development are bright provided sustained attention is given to:

1. Provision of adequate infrastructure, support services and facilities for effective delivery/follow through of the courses in all institutions;
2. Training, on a sustainable basis, of all lecturers and instructors on EEd;
3. Provision of appropriate instruction materials (with local examples) to ensure relevance to the Nigerian situation; and
4. Provisions of access to adequate resources (including capital) to graduating students to enable them start their own business.

2008, Belfast

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