DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION FOR SOCIETAL RESILIENCE IN IMO STATE

This study examined digital transformation in entrepreneurship education for societal resilience in Imo State. Specifically, the study assessed the contribution of digitally transformed entrepreneurship education to societal resilience and identified the challenges hindering the integration of digital technologies into entrepreneurship education in tertiary institutions. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and was conducted in Imo State, Nigeria. The population consisted of 120 beneficiaries of the SkillUp Imo programme, all of whom were used as the sample through the census sampling technique. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire titled Digital Transformation in Entrepreneurship Education for Societal Resilience in Imo State Questionnaire (DTEEST). The instrument was validated by experts and yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.86 using the test–retest method. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed that digitally transformed entrepreneurship education contributes positively to societal resilience in Imo State, with a grand mean of 2.80. Respondents agreed that it enhances responses to economic challenges, improves access to entrepreneurship knowledge, promotes innovation, strengthens networking and collaboration, builds entrepreneurial confidence, enhances self-employment opportunities, and develops relevant digital skills. However, respondents disagreed that it significantly strengthens adaptability to changing economic conditions and supports continuous learning during crises. The study further revealed that weak government policy implementation, limited internet connectivity, inadequate digital infrastructure, limited digital skills among lecturers and students, high costs of digital technologies, and poor institutional support constitute major barriers to the integration of digital technologies into entrepreneurship education, with a grand mean of 2.73. The study concluded that digitally transformed entrepreneurship education has considerable potential for enhancing societal resilience through improved innovation, employability, and entrepreneurial capacity. However, infrastructural, institutional, and policy-related challenges continue to limit its effectiveness. The study recommends improved digital infrastructure, regular capacity-building programmes for educators and learners, and stronger institutional support to facilitate the effective integration of digital technologies into entrepreneurship education.