Entrepreneurship is the process of starting a business. According to the national bureau of statistics (2009,2003,2010,2012) ,the national unemployment rates for Nigeria between 2000 and 2011 showed the number of employed persons,31.1% in 2000,13.6% in 2001,12.6% in 2002,14.3% in 2003,13.4% in 2004,11.9% in 2005,13.7% in 2006,14.6% in 2007,14.9% in 2008,19.7% in 2009,21.1% in 2010 and 23.9% in 2011. In relation to these statistics, the problem of chronic youth unemployment is very evident in Nigeria. Every year, thousands of graduates are turned out to the labour market where there are no jobs, which results to poverty and lack of creativity. However, the creation of entrepreneurial interest amidst university students in Nigeria can fight this crisis to the large extent by creating enterprises and creating jobs for the university student in Nigeria.
What then is entrepreneurship education and self-reliance? According to Wikipedia, entrepreneurship education provide students with the knowledge, skills and motivation to encourage entrepreneurial success in a variety of settings. Variations of entrepreneurship education are offered at all levels of schooling from primary or secondary schools through graduate university programs and self-reliance is reliance on one’s own powers and resources rather than others. It is also called self-sufficiency, self-support, self-sustenance, self-standing, independence etc.
The knowledge or lack of it of the entrepreneurship education cannot be over emphasized, hence some enterprise are operating below installed capacity. Akibu 1977 and many others are indeed folding up while the educational industry which is producing enemas annually self-employment among the development of entrepreneurship deserves attention. The former president of Nigeria his Excellency, Olusegun Obasanjo during his second term as a president, his government saw the need to establish an employment programme for non-employed graduates. This poverty alteration programme focused on graduates, self-employment through loan disbursement to individuals to establish various business, projects or enterprises, which is possible through the study of entrepreneurship education amidst University student’s in Nigeria. This education is meant to cater for entrepreneurial competencies, entrepreneurial interest and eventually self-employment amongst University students in Nigeria. Education in Nigeria is devoid of some basic and crucial elements needed to convert the surging rate of employment; here is the yell of a Nigerian in diaspora . However, the introduction of entrepreneurship education will advance the economy of the nation if much credence will be given to it. This is to confirm and disaffirm the intention that entrepreneurship education will increase the intention to start a business among undergraduates. However the economic growth of the country at this point in time is a must. If her cardinal education objective of being a united, strong and self-reliant nation is to be achieved, the national policy on education (2001) therefore needs to make a special focus on entrepreneurship education in the hope of producing graduates who will be self –employed.
The relevance of entrepreneurship education has allowed entrepreneurship gain worldwide recognition in schools; both locally and internationally. Fayoile 2004 and Bhandari 2006 rightfully observed some educational institution now offer a wide range of entrepreneurship programmes and training activities. This programme appears to influence student in times of generating entrepreneurial interest and getting into the business of their choice.
As a student, what are the facilities you think the present government needs to provide in the Nigerian University, to make firm the study of entrepreneurship education and ensure its aim is achieved?
By: Oluwasanya Taiwo| Oluwasanyataiwo01@gmail.com
House Of TAI 
Just so we are clear, i don’t have a problem with entrepreneurship, its a wonderful innovation.
My problem right now is that the government and a lot of people think it is the “get out of jail card” from our lugubrious unemployment rates and poverty. Firstly, not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur, no matter how good it is, that’s the fact. Secondly, before giving out loans to entrepreneurs (monies that would prolly end up wasted), why not put basic things like power, roads, education, transportation and a conducive environment that would encourage youths take the entrepreneurship route? Why not policy reforms that would make things easier for the entrepreneurs?. Here is another question, how many start up business survive 3yrs in Nigeria?
My conclusion, we can’t entrepreneur ourselves out of high unemployment rates or poverty level.
Nice write up by the way madam.
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The government should produce business enabling environment before trying to inculcate everyone into becoming an entrepreneur
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How long are we going to wait? We have waited enough for the government to provide us good roads, quality education, clean water etc some are even waiting for the government to feed them. The government have a lot to look into and until we begin to take responsibility of our lives, we might wait forever.
Olu, an investment in entrepreneurship is not a waste and it is a get out jail from unemployment! Thanks to entrepreneurs who have stood up to produce other entrepreneurs passing the rope of self reliance. However, we alll cant become entrepreneurs but even in employement you need the entrepreneurship knowledge to work effectively as an employee.
You asked If business survive more than 3year in Nigeria,well some do while other donts but to my understanding it is a management problem and all entrepreneurs must not only start up a business but acquire the necessary managerial skills needed. Thanks to entrepreneurs who have devoted their time to train other entrepreneurs on business management, so giving out a fund is not as effective as ensuring that these entrepreneurs are properly trained to manage fund and the new trends in each field as entrepreneurs.
Olu i agree with you that not all of us will be entrepreneurs but we all need entrepreneurship education. Thanks for your contribution.
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The problem with your point is you are thinking about the smaller fraction of the masses.
(1) Only very few entrepreneurs would thrive in an environment like that of Nigeria. According to the stats, 70% of small and medium scale business crumble within the first 3yrs in Nigeria. whether we like to accept it or not, the government has a “larger” role to play.
(2) Again, my point is that “government” must provide business enabling environment before giving people loan for start ups. If they don’t do that, they will keep wasting money. we must crawl before we walk
(3) I’m not saying entrepreneur knowledge is a waste.
(4) Talking about skills, where will they get the skill with the inadequacy of power and education?
Most start ups fail because of the environment and bad policies.
(5) How many people can they train at a time? Again, you are not considering a higher percentage of the masses. Everywhere is not Lagos ma. There are 36 states in Nigeria
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The father of entrepreneurs in Nigeria Aliko, how many people has he employed? The Nigerian government make policies to favor only people like Dangote. Until they look into these poor policies, most aspiring entrepreneurs will continue to falter.
I remember reading one of the comments made by our ex president. He said: ‘Look at Dangote who is the richest man in Africa, without our policies, he would not be as rich today’.
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