EMPOWERING STUDENTS FOR ENTERPRISE: IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING ON NEW BUSINESS VENTURES AT EBONYI STATE UNIVERSITY (2014-2020)

Abstract

Graduate unemployment remains a critical challenge in Nigeria, with thousands of tertiary institution graduates entering an already saturated labor market each year. This situation exacerbates socio-economic issues such as poverty, disease, insurgency, and social conflicts. Addressing this problem requires not only creating job opportunities but also equipping graduates with entrepreneurial skills to enable self-employment and business creation. This study investigates the impact of entrepreneurship training on new business creation among graduates of Ebonyi State University between 2014 and 2020. By analyzing the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education, the research highlights how such training can bridge the gap between academic learning and practical enterprise development. The findings underscore the importance of entrepreneurship programs in empowering youths with the capacity and skills needed to contribute meaningfully to economic growth, reduce unemployment, and alleviate poverty. The study recommends the integration of comprehensive entrepreneurship training into the university curriculum to enhance graduate employability and stimulate local economic development.