Closing the Unemployment Divide: Examining the Role of Entrepreneurship Education as catalyst for Empowering students at Adeyemi Federal University, Ondo

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education curriculum as a solution to youth unemployment, focusing on Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo. Against the backdrop of rising youth unemployment in Nigeria, where approximately 64 million young people are unemployed according to recent statistics, this research examines how entrepreneurship education can bridge the gap between academic training and employment creation. The study employed a descriptive quantitative approach. Data was collected through structured questionnaires administered to 100 students, selected through simple random sampling across five faculties of the university. The findings reveal that entrepreneurship education significantly contributes to youth employability through three key mechanisms: practical skill development, mentorship programs, and industry-aligned curriculum content. Specifically, the study found that 85% of respondents agreed that entrepreneurship education contributes to economic development, while 92% confirmed the positive impact of mentorship on their entrepreneurial capabilities. However, several challenges were identified, including financial constraints, insufficient practical training facilities, and limited access to current teaching materials. The research demonstrates that while entrepreneurship education shows promise as a tool for addressing youth unemployment, its effectiveness is contingent upon adequate funding, practical skill development opportunities, and strong industry partnerships. These findings have important implications for curriculum development and educational policy in Nigerian higher institutions, suggesting the need for a more practical, industry-aligned approach to entrepreneurship education. The study recommended increased funding allocation for entrepreneurship education programme to address the identified resource constraints and enhance integration of practical, hands-on learning experiences in the curriculum.