THE INFLUENCE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION ON YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND JOB CREATION AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN NIGERIA.

This study examines the influence of entrepreneurial education on youth empowerment and job creation among university students in Nigeria. With the rising rate of youth unemployment and underemployment in the country, entrepreneurship has become a crucial pathway toward economic self-reliance and sustainable development. The study investigates how exposure to entrepreneurial education enhances students’ creativity, innovation, self-confidence, and business start-up intentions. A descriptive research design was adopted, and data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to selected students across public and private universities in Nigeria. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative analyses to evaluate the relationship between entrepreneurial education, youth empowerment, and job creation potential. Findings revealed that entrepreneurial education significantly improves students’ entrepreneurial mindset, skills acquisition, and readiness to establish self-sustaining ventures. The study also found that practical exposure, mentorship, and institutional support are key determinants of how effectively entrepreneurial education translates into job creation and empowerment outcomes. Entrepreneurial education is widely recognized as a key driver of youth empowerment and job creation, particularly in countries with high unemployment rates like Nigeria. It equips young people with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to become self-reliant and create employment opportunities. This study investigates the influence of entrepreneurial education on youth empowerment and job creation among university students in Nigeria. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 200 students across selected universities through structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis. The findings reveal that entrepreneurial education significantly enhances students' creativity, self-confidence, and ability to start businesses. Challenges such as limited funding, poor practical exposure, and inadequate mentorship were identified as barriers. The study concludes that entrepreneurship education is crucial for addressing youth unemployment and recommends more practical training, incubation centers, government support, and university-industry partnerships.