Impact of Entrepreneurship Education on the Entrepreneurial Mindset of Nigerian University Students

Abstract

The rising statistics of unemployment in Nigeria continue to raise a number of concern, particularly on the impact of entrepreneurship education on the entrepreneurial mindset of graduates. It is quite appalling how many students have not transformed their training into ventures, and why those who initiated businesses cannot sustain beyond five years of start-ups. It is in this light that the study explored the role of entrepreneurial motivation in students’ entrepreneurial mindsets. The research adopted a cross-sectional design, surveying 450 university students. Using regression analysis in SPSS v.25, there is a significant and positive relationship between entrepreneurial motivation and students' entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions. The findings suggest that students greatly value the knowledge and mindset shift obtained through entrepreneurship programmes, redirecting their focus from traditional employment to self-reliance through business creation. Consequently, the study advocates for the Nigerian government and policymakers to reconsider strategies for promoting entrepreneurship, emphasising the importance of raising student awareness and facilitating accessible funding for genuine business owners across various sectors, ultimately contributing to a more entrepreneurial culture and economic growth.