Entrepreneurial Skill Acquisition and Job Creation in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

A lot of youthful energies, talents and material resources are wasted and/or untapped due to neglects and unsupportive environment in Nigeria. These energies that should have been used to generate jobs, revenues and improve the nation’s economy are often wrongly channeled and misused. This study investigated the influence of entrepreneurial skill acquisition on job creation in Benin City Metropolis, Nigeria. The specific objective was to examine the extent of relationship between entrepreneurial skills acquisition and job creation. The study was anchored on McClelland’s theory of need for achievement and goal setting which forms the basis of activity for most entrepreneurs. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used to obtain data for the study. Pearson's Product Moment Correlation was employed to test the formulated hypothesis while Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 was adopted in the analysis of data. Findings revealed that acquisition of entrepreneurial skills is an indispensible means of making jobs available in Benin City, Nigeria. Entrepreneurial skill acquisition should therefore be encouraged to enhance development of initiatives by the youths, and put into productive use the resources in our local environment. The study advocates that both public and private sectors should establish skill acquisition centers which would be adequately equipped and funded to achieve the desired goal. The study also recommended improved practical programmes in school curriculum, creating awareness through entrepreneurial skill training classes, development programmes, seminars, conferences, symposiums and workshops.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Skill Acquisition, Job Creation, Youths, Benin City