Entrepreneurial Education, Economic Opportunities and Venture Creation in the Semi-Urban Areas of Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

In the face of unemployment, entrepreneurial knowledge sharing and skills development are regarded as important requirements for stimulating economic and social development. This paper seeks to explore the role of entrepreneurial education in the scale-up of new entrepreneurial business ventures among graduates who reside in the semi-urban areas. This research deployed qualitative research methodology, using semi-structured interview technique for data collection among university graduates with different disciplines in Niger State, Nigeria. The data collected was used to explore the impact of entrepreneurship education as motivation for new venture creation. The economic opportunities available in the semi-urban areas were also explored alongside the networking capabilities and relationships of emerging entrepreneurs. The findings revealed that previous entrepreneurship knowledge contributed meaningfully to the creation of new ventures. It is concluded that the transformation of entrepreneurship knowledge, skills acquisition as well as networking served as enablers for new venture creation in the semi-urban areas.