Entrepreneurship Education an Venture Creation: Evidence from NYSC Members in Bida, Niger State

Inadequate or lack of entrepreneurial skills by majority of Nigerian graduates and servicing corps members has made government of Nigeria to make entrepreneurship education mandatory in tertiary institutions of learning and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps. Thus, the study examines the effect of entrepreneurship education on venture creation intention among NYSC members in Bida Local Government of Niger State. The study adopted a survey research and population is 321 NYSC corps members servicing in Bida Local Government of Niger State. The study sampled 178 respondents who are servicing corps members as at year 2023 and questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. The regression result shows that entrepreneurship education (measured by curriculum content, learning environment and educators’ competence) has significant effect on venture creation intention among NYSC members in Bida Local Government of Niger State. The study therefore recommended among others: every Corp member should be required to work for at least three months in companies that can help them launch their own business. Entrepreneurship facilitators should possess greater practical knowledge. The organized private sector and various tiers of government should contribute to the funding of entrepreneurship education research and provide supportive incentives such as easy access to finance options.