Entrepreneurship Education and Self-Employment Orientation Among Undergraduates in University of Ilorin

Abstract

Based on the current Nigeria economic situation characterized by frequent increase in the rate of graduate unemployment, campaign for self-employment orientation has been on the increase and this trend informed the introduction of entrepreneurship education as a means of equipping potential graduates with skills and knowledge needed to develop self-employment orientation. Due to the enormous attention and huge resources dedicated to entrepreneurship education in various higher institutions of learning, there is the need to examine the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education in promoting self-employment orientation especially among undergraduates who have been exposed to this form of education. A survey was carried out among students in some faculties at the university of Ilorin based on purposive sampling technique; questionnaire was used as the instrument of data collection, the result was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The study finding indicates that there is no significant relationship between entrepreneurship education and self-employment orientation of the sampled undergraduates as entrepreneurship education has not been able to have a Jar-reaching effect on the students. The study thus recommends that entrepreneurship education should go beyond class works as practicum should be included, and moreover, effort should be made to address the university curriculum and allow for a strong emphasis on practical entrepreneurial trainings.