INTRODUCTION
Entrepreneurship has been identified
globally as a potential tool for industrialization and rapid economic growth of
any society. This is evidenced on the current economic boom in the southern
Asia region. Therefore the rapid growth and changes in the socio-cultural
climate particularly in these southern Asian countries like Taiwan, India,
Indonesia, Singapore e.t.c. have significantly influenced the recognition of
entrepreneurship in our modern societies. The concept of entrepreneur was identified
as one of the factors of production that organizes the other factors like land,
capital and labour towards the production of goods and services for the
satisfaction of human utility. The term entrepreneurship was derived from a 17th
century French word, “entrepredreil” which refers to individual who undertook
the risk of new enterprise. They were contractors who bore the risk of profit
or loss. Many early entrepreneurs were solders of fortune, adventures,
builders, merchants and funerals directors (MC Oliver, Okafor, Nwagwu and
Okojie, 2006). Similarly, entrepreneurship is understood to mean formation of a
new business or firm towards satisfying human wants.
The European commission (2004), viewed
entrepreneurship to include; planning, communicating, doing, debriefing,
evaluating and recording progress, in learning. This implies that
entrepreneurship is geared towards creating new systems processes, mobilizing
men, materials, machines and financial resources in order to produce new
products and or serve new markets. While Ucheghara (2008) perceived
entrepreneurship as a process by which individual pursue opportunities,
fulfilling needs and wants through innovation with regard to the resources they
currently control. Furthermore Coy (2000) in Obikeze (2010) revealed that the
role of entrepreneurship in economic development has produced evolution
process, ordinary technological breakthrough and innovations among others. The
National University Commission/Education Trust Fund, (2004) report, revealed that
most Nigerian graduates lacked entrepreneurial skills. One of the reasons
advanced was that, most teachers that teach the subject/course
(entrepreneurship) is professionally and academically incompetent. The report
further identified the followings;
ü Poor
classroom management and control
ü Shallow
subject matter knowledge
ü Poor
Computer skills
ü Inability
to communicate effectively in English
ü Lack
of professionalism
ü Lack
of self-reliance and entrepreneurial skills.
The
above problems led to the compulsory inclusion of entrepreneurship education
into the Nigerian higher education system. Subsequently entrepreneurship development/education
is a carefully planned process that eventuates into the acquisition of
entrepreneurial competencies entrepreneurship education equips the learner with
skills on decision making, acquisition of new ideas, method of raising and
maintaining conversations and establishing business relationship. Ikeme, (2000)
in Osuala (2004) defined entrepreneurial education as a programme or part of
programme that prepares individuals to undertake the formation and or operation
of small business enterprises which also include operation for the purpose of
performing all business functions relating to a product or service with
emphasis given to the social responsibilities, legal requirements and risks for
the sake of profit making. Osuala further outlined the followings as the aim of
entrepreneurship education;
ü To
provide meaningful education for the youth which could make the self-reliant
and subsequently encourage them to derive profit and be self-independent
ü To
provided small and medium sized companies with the opportunity to recruit
qualified graduate who will receive training and tutoring in the skills reliant
to the management of the small business centre.
ü To
provide graduates with the training and support necessary to help them
establish a career in small and medium sized business.
ü To
provide graduates with training in skills that will make them meet the worker
needs of the society.
ü To
provide graduates with enough training on management of risk to make them plan
for uncertainty bearing of possible risk.
ü To
stimulate industrial and economic growth of rural and less developed areas.
ü To
provide graduates with enough training that will make them creative and
innovative in identifying new business opportunities.
It
is also perceived that entrepreneurship education is an educational aspect
centred on the acquisition of knowledge, skills, attitudes, potentials,
abilities and competencies to enable the recipient’s apprehend life challenges
in whatever form and recognize opportunities to solve those challenges for
his/her benefits and that of the society.
ENTREPRENEUR, ENTREPRENEUSHIP AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION
The entrepreneur has been differently defined
by many authors. According to Datol, Danwanzam, Nyapson, Padung, Udo, Bentu and
Okwori (2004), an entrepreneur is a risk-taker who likes to take an adventure
into unknown and unfamiliar territories, which with determination and courage,
he wishes to explore and conquer. The above definition emphasized the
risk-taker but no one would like to embark on a business that is not profitable
i.e if the economy is so poor individual will rather prefer to use his/her
money to feed himself and his immediate family. Opara (2000) in Datol, et al
(2004), defined the entrepreneur as an individual who has the zeal and ability
to find and evaluate opportunities, gather necessary resources, take sequential
and systematic steps towards utilizing the advantages of such opportunities.
The above stresses zeal and ability but in a situation where the resources are not
available the vision perishes. Akanbi (2007) defined an entrepreneur as a
person who attempts to make money with his/her initiative, by taking risks and
ultimately becoming a robust business owner. The initiative can only come when
there are available resources. While entrepreneurship is defined by Stevenson
(1989) in Akanbi (2007), as a process whereby individuals become aware of
business ownership as an option or viable alternative, develop ideas for
business, learn the process of becoming an entrepreneur and undertake the
initiation and development of business. In short, entrepreneurship is an
employment strategy that can lead to economic self-sufficient. If everyone will
be economically self-sufficient, therefore all hands must be on deck.
To be an entrepreneur, hence a job
creator rather than a job seeker, one needs to be educated in the art.
Entrepreneurship education is a kind of education which trains learners to
acquire the skills, ideas and the managerial abilities and capabilities for
employment, whether for self-employment or paid employment. According to
Lankard (1991), entrepreneurship education is a lifelong learning process,
starting as early as elementary school and progressing through all levels of
education, including adult education. This focuses on how to prepare people for
lifelong sustenance by equipping an individual mentally and physically with
entrepreneurial skills for effective participation in the labour market. It
offers information about entrepreneurship as a career option and also seeks to
prepare people, enterprising individuals who become entrepreneurs or
entrepreneurial thinkers by immersing them in real life learning experience
where they can take risks, manage the results and learn from the outcomes.
Lankard emphasized that entrepreneurship education teaches people to learn
organizational skills, time management, leadership development and
interpersonal skills, all of which are highly transferable skills sought by
employers. Thus, entrepreneurship education plays an important role in the society;
it has become a matter of necessity that entrepreneurship education should be
embraced by all in order to sustain the economy of Nigeria.
SMALL-SCALE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
FOR POTENTIAL ENTREPRENEURS
There are many opportunities available
for investments purposes. Akinyemi (1988) in Nwoye (1991) present various
small-scale business opportunities in various fields for potential
entrepreneurs.
- Agricultural
and Agro-Allied Industry: Processing of Garri and Yam flour, canning and
preservation of fruits, poultry farming, canning and preservation of
vegetables, manufacture of biscuits, chocolates; vegetable and palm oil mills;
rice milling plants; processing of animal feeds; production of industrial
starch; bread and cake making.
- Leather
industry: Manufacture of foot wear and other leather products; leather bags,
belts, boxes, etc; wallets, port folios and shopping bags.
- Textile
and Associated Industry: sewing industry and garment shop; production of
underwear; production of socks, production of neck ties; production of baby
toys.
- Chemicals
and Allied groups: production of paints, pharmaceutical products; manufacture
of plastics; production of candles, manufacture of all classes of soaps,
laundry detergent; distilled water; production of photographic films,
production of chalk; palm kernel extraction.
- Wood
and woodwork: furniture; treatment of timber; saw milling; traditional craft
and cultural heritage; basket making, raffia making; carving; blacksmithing;
wine tapping; pottery; weaving.
- Metal
and Engineering: bolts and nuts manufacture, nails, pins, rakes, cutlasses,
hoes, shovel, bed, iron chairs, tables; workshops for repair and servicing of
automobiles; workshop for servicing and repair of kitchen equipment, cookers,
refrigerators, blender etc; manufacture of cutlery.
- Service
Enterprise: distributorship, wholesaling, retailing, consultancy, clinc;
employment agency; travelling agency.
More
so, there are many business outlets that one can involve in especially in the
area of information and communication technology. They are; Sale and repair of
handsets, phoning booths, internet cafes, selling of GSM recharge cards and so
on.
PRESENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF
NIGERIA
The economy of Nigeria has been
undergoing profound changes whose components include greater openness to trade
and investments, liberalization of the domestic market and increased
participation of the private sector in the provision of goods and services. But
alongside these positive changes are appreciable weaknesses that the economy
exhibits as globalization proceeds. These weaknesses, which endured for long
despite Nigeria’s enormous resources, explain the country’s underdevelopment.
An inquiry into the underlying causes by Onwuka (2009) reveals that despite the
economic and social policies, there is growing lack of basic needs.
Furthermore, the structure sustaining Nigeria’s underdevelopment, frustrate
economic and social transformation, thereby solidifying the fundamental that
regenerates poverty in the country.
RELEVANCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
TOWARDS SUSTAINING NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable development is a
multifaceted development strategy that has a number of dimensions; the ultimate
objective of any National Development policy is to improve the quality of life
of citizens of that country while also conserving the vitality of mankind. This
strategy serves as a guide to man’s efforts at ensuring life in harmony with
his fellowmen and with nature’s system of sharing with one another, caring for
the environment and creating impact on the socio-economic development of the
society. Cyril, Akiang, Asinde, Ofem and Donal (2010) outlined the following as
the importance of entrepreneurship to national development.
·
Preparation of individuals to meet the
manpower needs of relevant occupation through acquisition of useful knowledge,
skills and attitudes required in the field work.
·
Elimination of poor attitude to work,
low performance on the job and lack of job satisfaction as individuals will be
helped to acquire the right attitude to work and respect for dignity of labour.
·
Enhancing employment through
self-reliance and self-employment as Nigerian youths equip themselves with
adequate knowledge, skills and attitudes which make them more productive.
·
Reduction in professional and vocational
prostitution as skilled and the unskilled are prevented from using other
vocations as a discovering ground. This will go a long way in promoting a
positive attitude towards entrepreneurship to the development of the nation.
·
Entrepreneurship creates a formal and
non-formal capacity and redirection of educational provision towards the world
of business producing skilled citizen for self-sustenance and independence.
Subsequently,
the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) (2004)
stated that the role of the private sector for promoting entrepreneurship
education for self-reliance and sustainable development as the only way of
creating productive jobs and improving the quality of life. The private sector
is expected to become more proactive in creating productive jobs, enhancing
productivity and improving the citizens. It is also expected to be socially
responsible, by investing in the corporate and social development of Nigeria
and by actively promoting the unity and cultural, educational, moral and social
development of the country.
Buttressing
further, Isike and Emoga (2008) in Onyamah, Ikenga, Isibor and Ojogbane (2010)
explained that no country can move forward technologically, industrially and
economically without strongly developing poverty reduction and employment
generation skills to include, managerial administrative skills, innovative
skills, investigative problem solving skills. Therefore, the role of
entrepreneurship in the economic development of Nigeria involves more than just
increasing per capital output and income; it involves initiating and
constituting change in the structure of business and society, which is
accompanied by growth and increased output. Entrepreneurship is essential and
vital for the development of any nation and it has great attraction to most
people due to the freedom and independence associated with owning their
business. The rewards of entrepreneurship in national development according to
Isike and Emoga (2008) in Onyamah, Ikenga, Isibor and Ojogbane (2010) include
the following;
·
They serve as suppliers to bigger
enterprises. For example, Cadbury Plc of Nigeria uses Cocoa as one of their raw
materials in the production of beverages.
·
There is a less pressure on the limited
foreign exchange earnings.
·
It is less dependent to import inputs to
their capital investments.
·
It nurtures indigenous raw materials and
processing industries to support large enterprises. It helps in resources
utilization.
·
It reduces rural to urban migration by
engaging a large fraction of the rural population as employees.
·
It gives an opportunity to utilize one’s
potentials.
·
It brings self-fulfilment.
·
It ensures rapid growth and development
of the society.
·
It alleviates poverty.
·
It leads to technological advancement.
ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION
Entrepreneurship education is
considered a strong strategy for poverty alleviation and skills development in
Nigeria. However, it’s the believe that the contribution of small and medium
size enterprises (SMEs) to the growth of Nigeria economy can never be
overemphasized because entrepreneurship education is geared towards producing a
self-reliant citizens through the acquisition of attitude and skills. Section 1
of the National policy on Education (2004) states the need for functional
education, to be relevant and practical in the acquisition of appropriate
skills and the development of competencies as equipment for the individual to
live in and contribute to the development of the society. This implies the need
for the quality of teaching and learning at all levels of education to be
oriented towards inculcating the values of acquisition of competencies
necessary for self-reliance and reduction of poverty: Shamsuddeen (2010) argued
that entrepreneurship development is a key pillar for national development,
which stimulate primary production to enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s
real productive sector, establishing a competitive business environment
characterized by sustained macroeconomic stability and significantly increased
production of processed and manufactured goods for local consumption and
export.
Subsequently, unemployment is a
serious feature of underdevelopment whjch is responsible for low capacity
utilization, low Gross National Product (GNP) and low per capital income
culminating into vicious circle of poverty. These features of underdevelopment
are paramount in the socio-economic underdevelopment. But entrepreneurship
education seeks to offer solutions to unemployment, social vices and poverty
rate reduction; because entrepreneurship education prepares individuals to be
responsible, enterprising and employer of labour.
CONCLUSION
Nigeria’s
abundant human and natural resources and the capacity for a long term
sustainable economic growth and development have never been in doubt. The
paradox, however, has been the inability of successive governments to mobilize
and harness these potentials to engender growth and development that would
translate into significant improvement in the quality of life of Nigerians
through entrepreneurship education. It’s therefore apparent that Nigeria needs a
long-term economic plan that will be implemented using a series of medium term
plans that are more predictable in terms of future occurrences.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Ø Entrepreneurship
education should be made a general course in all secondary schools to higher
institutions so that knowledge and skill acquired strengthen the students’
confidence in the business world.
Ø The
vision 20:2020 steering committee should include entrepreneurship education as
a thematic area among the 29 thematic areas of vision 20:2020.
Ø The
curriculum of all course of study should be geared towards entrepreneurship
education to reduce the over dependence on government paid jobs.
Ø Teachers
must be allowed to become more competent in the use of academic technology and
also expand their pedagogies to include new and innovative approaches to the
entrepreneurship.
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K., Akiang, J.U., Asinde, F.A., Ofem, M.E. & Donal, A. (2010).
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