Project Abstract

Abstract
Entrepreneurship has gained significant attention in Nigeria as a means to combat unemployment and drive economic growth. This research aims to explore the determinants of entrepreneurship among graduates in Nigeria. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews to gather data from a sample of recent graduates. Preliminary findings suggest that several factors influence graduates' decisions to pursue entrepreneurship. These determinants include personal characteristics such as risk-taking propensity, creativity, and self-efficacy. Additionally, external factors such as access to finance, mentorship, and market opportunities play a crucial role in shaping graduates' entrepreneurial intentions. The study also reveals that the current educational system in Nigeria may not adequately equip graduates with the necessary skills and mindset for entrepreneurship. There is a need for curriculum reform to incorporate more practical, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurship training. Furthermore, the lack of supportive infrastructure and policies poses significant challenges for aspiring entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Policy recommendations based on the findings include the development of targeted entrepreneurship programs, improved access to finance for young entrepreneurs, and the establishment of mentorship networks. Addressing these determinants can potentially foster a more conducive environment for entrepreneurship among graduates in Nigeria. In conclusion, this research sheds light on the multifaceted determinants of entrepreneurship among graduates in Nigeria. By understanding these factors, policymakers, educators, and other stakeholders can work towards creating a supportive ecosystem that nurtures and encourages entrepreneurial ventures. This study contributes to the existing literature on entrepreneurship in Nigeria and provides valuable insights for future research and policy development in this area.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In recent years, entrepreneurship education has been developing steadily but unevenly in most countries. In the United State for example, which has been a trailblazer and leader in the field, the last decade has been described as an important era, with a significant increase in student interest (Fiet 2001a) the figure tend to support this statement.

In 1971, only 16 colleges and universities in U.S. offered entrepreneurship education program, while today, there are more than 800.

Entrepreneurship is an under search topic in the social sciences and especially in economics. It was not always so, Schumpeter discusses the role of the entrepreneurship in the process of economic development at length. He imagine the entrepreneur as a creative driven individual who find new combination of factors of production” to discover and develop a new product, to apply strategy for a new market or design a new technology.

The United States have a comparatively long tradition of fostering entrepreneurs at universities and business schools. While the first entrepreneurship courses were taught at Harvard Business School as early as the 1930s, this field has seen increasing attention since the 1970s. By 1990, 400 universities in America were already estimates exceed 700 (Vesper and Macmillan 1988: Hills and Morris 1988, Fiet 2001) progress in this field has thus been extremely impressive.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Throughout the world, student in entrepreneurship as a career choice is growing Brenneret 1991, Hart et Harrison, 1992, while interest in traditional professional employment in big business is gradually declining (Kovereld 1996), the orientation and behaviours of student and young graduates are influenced by a number of personal and environmental factors.

Under uncertainly, out came may be characterized by an expected value which summarizes the potential out comes of the probability of their occurring. Business profits are typically an uncertain function of the work effort extended by the entrepreneur, with an expected profit level for each effort level surrounded by a variance of profit outcomes due to the impact of unexpected changed in consumer preferences competition price and product offerings, macro-economic variables and so on.

This profit variance introduces the role that additional remuneration for that effort profit variance is considered by potential entrepreneurs who asses stability (certainty of ensuring a pay check every month avoiding rise, maintaining current life style) before making a decision to set up a new venture (Amit, et al 1996) given the myriad of factors that surrounds the decision making frame of a young Nigeria graduate who intends to put a career in entrepreneur, it is imperative that answers be found to the following questions. What are the attitudes influences, their intention toward becoming entrepreneurs? What are the subjective norms underlying their intention of becoming entrepreneur? What control beliefs influence their intentions.