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Abstract
A number of policy intermediations in Nigeria that were targeted at inspiring and stimulating
entrepreneurship development through small and medium scale enterprises have botched. In its place of
creating in-country entrepreneurial capacity, entrepreneurs have been converted and become
distribution agents of imported goods. This paper argues the development of entrepreneurship and
stressed that it has been instrumental in economic growth, balanced regional development and job
creation in most vibrant economies, where technology is changing at a faster rate and the product
lifetime cycle is dwindling. This paper also looks at Nigerias growing unemployment situation and how it
increasingly deteriorates the potentials of the country. It emphasizes the prominence and significance of
entrepreneurship as realistic machinery for sustainable economic growth and employment generation in
Nigeria seeing the experiences of developed nations like Australia, the United States and vibrant
economies like China and India. It is in this instance that this paper seeks a lasting solution to the
pervasive and endemic portent in Entrepreneurship development that can assist to regulate
unemployment, generate job opportunities and provides recommendations for its sustainability in
Nigeria.
Keywords: Sustainable Development; unemployment; entrepreneur; Nigeria; employment generation.
1. Introduction
Africa is the poorest region in the world and it was the only major developing region with negative
growth in income per capita during 1980-2000 (Sachs et al, 2004). The World Bank predicts that poverty
in Sub- Saharan Africa is set to rise and by 2015 constitute 50% of the world poor (World Bank, 2004).
Nigeria is naturally gifted with entrepreneurship prospects; however the realization of the full potential
of these opportunities has been inhibited by the implementation of inappropriate and unsustainable
industrialization policies at different periods (Thaddeus, 2012). Several policy interventions that were
designed to stimulate entrepreneurship development via small and medium scale enterprises
advancement, based on technology transfer strategy, were unsuccessful to achieve the desired goals as it
led to the most indigenous entrepreneurs turning to distribution agents of foreign products in contrast to
building in-country entrepreneurial capacity for manufacturing, mechanized agriculture and expert
services. A study appraised that between 45 and 60 percent of the urban labour force engage in small
private enterprises or otherwise referred to as small businesses (Chu, Kara, Benzing, 2010 quoting
Nwaka, 2005, as cited in Oyelola et al, 2013).
Another study reveals that entrepreneurship has been beneficial because the Nigerian private sector
comprising of small and medium enterprises provides diverse employment opportunities for 50 percent
of the country's population and 50 percent of the its industrial output (Ariyo, 2005 as cited in Oyelola et
al, 2013). Many other countries have been able to strengthen and transform entrepreneurship sub-sector
to such a vibrant and exciting industry such that they have been able to reduce considerably their
unemployment and poverty level because of the huge and enormous contribution of the sub-sector to
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their economic growth and development (Onugu, 2005). Unfortunately, this cannot be said about Nigeria
as the case is different.
In respect to this appalling situation, the government has done little to reduce the misery and
frustrations of the citizenry which foisted a state of hopelessness on majority of young people who have
resulted to any means including crime to succeed in life. They result to crimes and other vices because
they are not gainfully engaged, meaning, they are unemployed. They are Unemployed, not necessarily
because they dont have relevant qualification, but because the system has been politically, economically,
socio-culturally and religiously crippled. The agility with which hunger and poverty have shattered lives
and future ambition of youths especially graduates in Nigeria, led to scholars prescribing
entrepreneurship as the lasting remedy for extreme hunger and poverty (Anyadike, Emeh, and Ukah,
2012). Thus, economic displacement is one of the external forces that influence the development of
entrepreneurship despite the fact that entrepreneurship has been regarded as the fortification for
employment generation and technological development in Nigeria.
Against this framework, entrepreneurship if courteously developed in Nigeria will take its pride of
place in crushing unemployment and thus generating employment among Nigerian youths especially the
graduates and subsequently stabilise the economy. It is in this respect that this paper seeks to discuss the
connection between entrepreneurship and employment generation in Nigeria, assess the level of
unemployment in the country and how far entrepreneurship has succeeded, highlight some major
problems of entrepreneurship and thus proposing some credible strategies that can enhance effective
entrepreneurship which will help control unemployment and create job opportunities especially for the
Nigerian youths.
Hospitality and tourism businesses: Hotels services, accommodation and resort centres,
production of film and home video.
Environmental and waste management businesses: Collection and disposal of refuse, recycling of
refuse, and drainage/sewage.
Financial and banking services: Banking services, insurance policy and stock trading.
Building and construction: Planning and design of services and sourcing of material.
The increase of entrepreneurship activity since 2000 is partly due to the increasing rate of
unemployment, a growing service sector, a reduction in regulatory control, increasing
privatization/competition and the introduction of a poverty eradication program in 2001.
Corruption, which has pervaded the entire social structure of Nigeria, has raided the country of
developing a vibrant economic base. Funds meant for development projects have been misappropriated,
diverted, or embezzled and stashed away in foreign banks, while some ineffectual and corrupt
bureaucrats cum administrators in the public parastatals have discharged these establishments (Okafor,
2010). The ruling (political) class failed since they traded the vision, policy, and strategy, that should be
the thrust of every leadership with dealings (contract award and other mundane money- related
activities), as each successive government patiently took turns to target on the nations wealth, by using
public power, resources, good will, utilities, instrument of abuse, and personal gains (Okafor, 2005 as
cited in Anyadike, Emeh, and Ukah, 2012). As such, this cripples the economy and intensifies
unemployment that generates abject poverty, hunger and frustration which is killing the zeal and means
for entrepreneurship development in the Nigerian youths.
Adeniyi (2013) stated that statistics have shown that with the current drive, on the average, labour force
in Nigeria will be around 65.7 million a year between 2011 and 2020, and around 78.2 million a year
between 2021 and 2030, ceteris paribus (if there is no war, no natural disaster, no disease outbreak, etc.).
This projection may be realistic because it will take at least 20 years before any policy aimed at reducing
population can be effective in Nigeria. Adeniyi (2013) further explain however that, with the present
trend, employment will only be, on the average, 55.8 million a year between 2011 and 2020 and 65.7
million a year between 2021 and 2030 in Nigeria. This projection will cause unemployment in Nigeria to
be around 9.9 million (15.07% rate) and 12.45 million (15.93% rate) on average between 2011 and
2020, and 2021 and 2030, respectively Adeniyi (2013).
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According to Thaddeus (2012) the development of entrepreneurship has shown in various facets of
Nigerian economy through micro finance business, production of film and music, agricultural activities,
food restaurants, small and medium businesses. Thus, entrepreneur has become an important agent for
economic growth and technical progress. Global economy is currently knowledge-driven which operates
on the logical and advanced thoughts of the entrepreneurs, where business activities have become casual
and adapted to self-employment (Thaddeus, 2012).
available in the rural areas where majority of the Nigerian youth are located. As such, youth are denied
the opportunity of skill acquisition, information gathering and other merits related to the global village.
This has made employers prefer experienced hired and makes it practically difficult for the young
individuals to gather the much needed experience, skill, familiarity with a work environment to invent a
successful enterprise.
6. Recommendation
Nigeria is a country with numerous business and investment potentials due to the abundant, vibrant and
dynamic human and natural resources it possesses. As good as this sound, Nigeria continues to
experience its bit of social, economic and political disruptions which have often inhibited its growth and
development into the regional economic power that it struggles to accomplish. Consequent to the
problems and incessant omen of entrepreneurship development, some dependable approaches that can
enhance effective entrepreneurship which will help control unemployment are highlighted as follows;
Basic infrastructural amenities should be provided by the government to encourage the
growth/expansion of entrepreneurial businesses in Nigeria. Credit agenda through micro-financing
banks should be made available with reasonable and affordable interest including subsidy to assist
entrepreneurs especially at the start. Government should redirect the educational curriculum to focus
more on practical aspect and also include entrepreneurial/vocational training programs as part of the
tertiary education system to equip youth with necessary entrepreneurial skills that will prepare them for
future challenges. The Nigerian government needs to shift from over-dependence on oil and place more
attention on the development of small & medium sized enterprises for sustainable economic growth in
Nigeria. There should be a sustainable entrepreneurship development in Nigeria if the government can
address and implement these recommendations effectively.
7. Conclusion
Small Medium Enterprises across the globe have been the foremost employer of labour at least in the
private sector and turning point of sustainable industrial development, although, this has not being
possible for the SMEs in Nigeria due to carelessness by the government (Alarape, 2014).
Entrepreneurship development in Nigeria is at the topmost of consciousness, creation and involvement
by the public and people, the controlled private sector and government at all levels. The policies of
government should move to address the problems of infrastructural deterioration and investment. The
problem of power supply remains a critical challenge. The issue of entrepreneurial training, skill and lack
of essential education remain unresolved. Innovation by Nigerian entrepreneurs transforms into efficient
production techniques and increase levels of output or economic growth. However, Nigerian
entrepreneurs still face problems and challenges in their struggle for growth and development.
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AUTHORS
First Author AdebobolaZakariyahOlotu M.sc Candidate, University of Newcastle, Australia. MBA,
Nigeria.
E-mail address: olotubolaz@yahoo.com
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