Higher Education In Nigeria As Correlates Of Youth Preparation For Small Scale Business

1.2 Statement of Problem

It is worthwhile to re-emphasize here that entrepreneurs and the small businesses they create are economic stimulators. Our country’s economic growth hinges on our ability to create new jobs through small scale business, and successful small scale business, in turn, requires well-trained graduates from our institutions of higher learning who are aspiring entrepreneurs willing to take the helm of venture creation. But the underpinning issue at this point still remains ascertaining whether the quality of education offered at present by tertiary institutions in the country is the one assuring the genuine preparation of young graduates for small scale business and not for job seeking. The above issue of concern is predicated on the apparent hues and cry of many scholars (Tawari, 2002; and Okoroma, 2006) about the poor quality and falling standard of tertiary education in Nigeria, which is seriously incapacitating the system from producing the right type of graduates that suits the desired human capital needed for job creation and genuine economic growth and development in the country.

This study therefore attempts to examine the extent to which higher education in Nigeria has prepared the youths for small scale business.

1.3 Purpose of Study

The aim of this study includes the following:

i. To examine the extent to which university education influences the development of students’ intellectual skill for small scale business;

ii. To ascertain whether university education influences the development of students’ affective skill for small scale business; and

iii. To determine the extent to which university education influences the development of students’ psychomotor skill for small scale business.

1.4 Research Questions

In order to successfully achieve the above objectives, the questions below were raised to guide the study.

i. Has university education been influential to the development of students’ intellectual skill for small scale business?

ii. How relevant is university education to the development of students’ affective skill for small scale business?

iii. To what extent has university education been influential to the development of students’ psychomotor skill for small scale business?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The hypotheses below were stated for the study.

H01: University education has not significantly influenced the development of students’ intellectual skill for small scale business.

H02: University education has not significantly influenced the development of students’ affective skill for small scale business.

H03: University education has not significantly influenced the development of students’ psychomotor skill for small scale business.