Impact of Entrepreneurship Education on Self-Employment Readiness among Students of Federal College of Education Ididep Ibiono, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the impact of entrepreneurship education on self-employment readiness among students of the Federal College of Education, Ididep, Ibiono, a concern that has become increasingly critical given the persistent challenge of youth unemployment in Nigeria. Adopting a survey research design, the study collected primary data through a structured questionnaire administered to a sample of students, assessing their perceptions of entrepreneurship training and their level of preparedness to pursue self-employment upon graduation. The findings establish a significant positive relationship between entrepreneurship education and self-employment readiness, revealing that students exposed to comprehensive entrepreneurial training developed a markedly stronger internal locus of control, enhanced entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and a greater propensity for generating business ideas and engaging in venture creation. The study further validates the critical role of vocational training and curriculum development in equipping tertiary institution graduates with the competencies required for business incubation and sustainable livelihoods. These outcomes underscore the transformative potential of entrepreneurship education as a driver of graduate employability, effectively shifting students from a mindset of passive job-seeking to one of proactive job creation, with far-reaching implications for individual empowerment and broader community economic development. In light of these findings, it is recommended that the college management prioritize the continuous upgrading of its entrepreneurship curriculum to ensure seamless integration of theoretical policy frameworks with practical, hands-on business planning and mentoring initiatives, while also fostering strategic collaborations with local financial institutions to improve student access to start-up capital and cultivating an institutional culture that actively encourages innovation and enterprise. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on entrepreneurship education in Nigerian tertiary institutions and offers practical insights for educators, policymakers, and institutional administrators committed to tackling unemployment through functional, demand-driven educational reforms.