Graduate unemployment in Nigeria is a chief cause of many social problems such as fraud, armed robbery and so on. Among the several reasons social researchers have listed as contributing factors to graduate unemployment, a lack of comprehensive curricula in the higher institutions has been pin-pointed to be crucial to the malaise of graduate unemployment. Entrepreneurship education if imbibed in the curricula of tertiary institutions would instill entrepreneurial behavior in students and graduates, which would further encourage graduates to become self-reliant and employers of labor. This study examined the levels of entrepreneurship orientation among graduate students in the University of Ibadan. The study made use of theories of planned behaviour and creativity and innovation theories. The sample was made up of 270 graduate students randomly drawn from six faculties of the University of Ibadan. Qualitative and quantitative data for the study were collected through the use of questionnaires and in-depth oral interviews. The result showed that majority of the respondents (78%) had never been exposed to entrepreneurship education upon the completion of their first degree. More than half of the respondents (55.6%) rated their level of entrepreneurial orientation as high, 31.4% rated it as moderate and the remaining 13.0% rated it as low. The paper asserts that graduate students are willing to become entrepreneurs if exposed to active entrepreneurship education - as they are cognizant of the benefits of being self-reliant and independent of the labor market.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Problem
Brief review of literature
Effects of Entrepreneurial Orientation on Entrepreneurial Intentions
The University’s Role in Promoting Entrepreneurship Orientation
Entrepreneurial Behaviors and Perceptions
Theoretical framework
Methods
Results and Discussion
Socio-economic and Demographic Characteristics of Respondents
Graduate students’ perception of entrepreneurship
Graduate students’ levels of entrepreneurial orientation
Entrepreneurial orientation according to sex, Place of first degree and Academic discipline
Conclusions and Recommendations
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this study is to investigate the levels of entrepreneurial orientation among graduate students at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and to explore how variables such as sex, academic background, and institutional environment influence these levels, ultimately addressing the challenge of high graduate unemployment.
- Impact of entrepreneurship education on graduate self-reliance.
- Analysis of entrepreneurial orientation levels among students.
- Theoretical foundations of entrepreneurial behavior (Theory of Planned Behavior).
- The influence of demographic and academic factors on student career paths.
- Recommendations for integrating entrepreneurship into Nigerian higher education curricula.
Excerpt from the Book
The Problem
The period between graduation and employment dates has continued to lengthen and this has become a source of frustration for graduates. In the circumstance, it is obvious that the only viable option is self-employment. Unfortunately, entrepreneurship education in Nigerian universities is somewhat in its infancy. This is evident, as most universities have initiated entrepreneurship education programs in the hope that it will equip university graduates with skills necessary to start their own businesses, to be job creators, instead of job seekers (Oyebade, 2003; Ekpoh and Edet, 2011).
Chukwu and Igwe (2012) notes that youth unemployment rate is higher than the national unemployment rate at 55.9% and 19.0% respectively, ranking Nigeria in the top tier as one of the countries with the highest rate of youth unemployment in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the last 20 years, the demand for education (especially higher education) has been on a geometric progression (Ajakaye, 1999). This is however not unconnected to the ever growing population of the country. Annually, hundreds of thousands of university graduates are churned out into the labor market with very few employment spaces available to them.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides the context of graduate unemployment in Nigeria and the potential role of entrepreneurship education as a solution.
The Problem: Examines the gap between graduation and employment and the frustration of job seekers in a saturated market.
Brief review of literature: Discusses the historical and theoretical definitions of entrepreneurship and the role of the entrepreneur in economic development.
Effects of Entrepreneurial Orientation on Entrepreneurial Intentions: Analyzes how entrepreneurial orientation and individual personality traits influence the decision to start a business.
The University’s Role in Promoting Entrepreneurship Orientation: Explores how higher education institutions can foster an environment conducive to entrepreneurial culture.
Entrepreneurial Behaviors and Perceptions: Discusses how attitudes toward risk and opportunity recognition shape entrepreneurial activity.
Theoretical framework: Outlines the application of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Creativity and Technological Innovation Theory.
Methods: Details the quantitative and qualitative research design, including sampling and data analysis techniques used at the University of Ibadan.
Results and Discussion: Presents the findings regarding demographic profiles, student perceptions, and the statistical relationship between personal variables and entrepreneurial orientation.
Conclusions and Recommendations: Synthesizes the findings and proposes policy shifts to better align university education with the national need for job creation.
Keywords
Graduate students, entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial orientation, entrepreneurship, unemployment, self-employment, university curriculum, Theory of Planned Behavior, Nigeria, career intention, skills acquisition, job creation, economic growth, higher education, innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The study investigates the levels and perceptions of entrepreneurial orientation among graduate students at the University of Ibadan, specifically regarding their readiness and willingness to pursue self-employment.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The themes include the relationship between university education and job readiness, the influence of demographic factors on entrepreneurship, and the role of policy in reducing unemployment.
What is the primary research question?
The paper seeks to understand students' perception of entrepreneurship education, their individual levels of entrepreneurial orientation, and if these levels are influenced by factors like gender or academic discipline.
Which methodology was applied?
The study used a multi-stage sampling method to collect quantitative data from 270 students via questionnaires, complemented by qualitative in-depth interviews.
What does the main body address?
The main body discusses the literature on entrepreneurship, the theoretical framework involving the Theory of Planned Behavior, and empirical findings from surveys conducted at the University of Ibadan.
Which keywords define the work?
Key terms include entrepreneurial orientation, graduate unemployment, entrepreneurship education, self-reliance, and university curricula.
Is there a significant difference in orientation based on gender?
The study found no significant relationship between a respondent's sex and their level of entrepreneurial orientation, suggesting that other factors are more influential.
How does the place of a student's first degree affect their orientation?
The results show a clear association; students from state universities demonstrated higher levels of entrepreneurial orientation, suggesting stronger curriculum provisions in those institutions.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding government policy?
The author concludes that educational policies in Nigeria have been inadequately enforced and urges for a stronger link between academic programs and practical entrepreneurship training.
- Quote paper
- Ajibola Omoarebun (Author), 2014, Entrepreneurial Orientation of Graduate Students in the University of Ibadan, South-West, Nigeria, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/283008
