RELEVANCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION IN DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCIES AMONG UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES IN ZARIA

Usman Adamu & Musa Ibrahim Iyayi & Jamilu Ja’afar Salihu

Abstract

The study examines the perception of undergraduate students on the relevance of entrepreneurship education in developing entrepreneurial competencies in Zaria. The design of the study was descriptive survey. The population of the study consists of 400 level undergraduate students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria numbering 245. The sample size was 150 determined using research advisors table for sample selection. Simple random sampling technique was used in sample selection. The four point modified Likert scale questionnaire title "Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Competencies and Traits Questionnaire" (EEECTQ) is used as instrument for collecting data in the study. The instrument was duly validated by experts. The reliability coefficient index stood at 0.65. The study used arithmetic mean and standard deviation to answer the questions raised. The study discovered that entrepreneurship education develop in the students entrepreneurial competencies such as financial literacy, management skills, ability to take responsibility and make decisions, competitiveness, perseverance, ability to network and make contacts and ability to research effectively. In the light of the findings made, the study’s recommendations include the need for teaching entrepreneurship education to centre on developing willingness to take risks among undergraduate students