Research article

Entrepreneurship Education: A key to solving Graduate unemployment in Niger-Delta
 

Okifo Joseph and *Ayo Abel O

Department of Business Education, School of Vocation Education, College of Physical Education, Mosogar, Delta State, Nigeria
 

*Corresponding Author Email: ayoao40@yahoo.com, Jodeg4charity@yahoo.com

showkat80ahmad@gmail.com
Accepted 24 June, 2013

Abstract

This study focused on entrepreneurship education as a key to solving graduate unemployment in Niger-Delta. The choice of this investigation was borne out of the genuine desire to bridge the existence gap in the employment market for tertiary institution graduate who acquire entrepreneurship skills as an alternative career option for self-employment. Two research questions were formulated with corresponding hypotheses. A survey research method was used in the study and through stratified proportionate random sampling 500 individuals was selected from among unemployed graduates and lecturers from various tertiary institutions in the region. A questionnaire containing 16 items was used for the study. The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation and t-test statistics was used to test the hypotheses. The data obtained were presented in tables and appropriate comments made where necessary. The findings revealed that entrepreneurship education had gained a wider acceptance in the region as an alternative career option but there is a lack of linkage between theory and practice among graduates and that government of the region should appeal to entrepreneurs so as to render mentoring role to graduate thereby assisting them to become self-employed. It is therefore recommended that the regional governments should make appropriate policies that will enhance entrepreneurial skill in the youths.

Keywords: unemployment, entrepreneurship education, t-test