Entrepreneural Education and Graduate Employability in Nigeria: Students’ Perception of Unilorin’s Graduate Self-Employment (GSE 301) Programme.

Abstract

Entrepreneurship education in Nigeria higher institutions was designed to give graduates the platform for self-reliance and employment after graduating from school. However, since the commencement of the Graduate Self Employment (GSE 301) programme in the University of Ilorin, it seems as if the students for whom the program was designed are less enthusiastic and optimistic about its potential to guarantee self-employment. This study therefore took a closer look at how students perceived the benefits of the GSE 301 programme. The study population consisted of all 300 level students of the University of Ilorin (estimated at 12,000) during the 2021/2022 academic session. The study target population was all 300-level students of the Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin (estimated at 1,850) during the 2021/2022 academic session. A researcher-designed questionnaire titled “Graduate Self Employment and Employability Questionnaire” was used to collect all data for the study. The instrument was subjected to both face and content validity by experts in the Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin. A pilot study of the instrument was done at Kwara State University, Molete. The exercise was subjected to Cronbach Alpha test and it yielded a .075 coefficient of reliability. The study found that students faced several challenges in the course of the programme. It was also found that GSE 301 has a significant potential in guaranteeing self-employment after graduation. The study therefore recommended that the Technical and Enterprise Center(TEC) that anchors GSE 301 should minimize the challenges faced by students and ensure they are exposed to more recent equipment and facilities. Finally, all their facilitators should be given training on how to effectively deliver instruction to students in conditions similar to the lecture room rather in what used to bea  Trainer-apprentice system.