Entrepreneurial Skills Required by Unemployed Youths in Golden Melon Production as Perceived by Teachers and Extension Agents in Nigeria

Authors

  • Saidu B. JIMOH Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
  • Kayode Ojo AFOLABI Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
  • Suleiman B. SHUAIB Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
  • Emmanuel O. ADESANYA Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

Keywords:

Golden melon, Skills, Planning, Production, Entrepreneur

Abstract

This study investigated into the entrepreneurial skills required by unemployed youths in golden melon production as perceived by teachers and extension agents in Nigeria. The research type adopted for this study was the survey research type. Three research questions and three research hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study was 73; made up of 37 teachers of agricultural science in secondary schools and 36 agricultural extension agents in the state. The entire population constituted the sample because of the small size. The Entrepreneurial Skills Structured Questionnaire (ESSQ) was used to elicit relevant responses and data for this study. The study investigates the skills required by unemployed youths in planning, field management, harvesting, and marketing of golden melon. The questionnaire had a 4-point response scale of Highly Required, Averagely Required, Slightly Required and Not Required. Seventy-three (73) copies of the questionnaire were administered to the respondents. The research questions formulated were analyzed using mean and Standard Deviation while the hypotheses were tested using the t-test statistic. Findings revealed that the required skills by unemployed youths in planning, field management, harvesting, and marketing golden melon for sustainability were highly significant. It was therefore recommended that the government and relevant agencies increase the skill capacities of unemployed youths through training and technical support. Finally, skill acquisition centers should be established and the identified occupational skills should be incorporated into the curriculum incorporation into the curriculum of the Skill Acquisition Centers, Schools and Colleges by federal, state government, and training institutes to train youths in order to empower them and reduce challenges of unemployment.

Author Biographies

Saidu B. JIMOH, Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

Kayode Ojo AFOLABI, Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

Suleiman B. SHUAIB, Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

Emmanuel O. ADESANYA, Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

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Published

2025-01-30

How to Cite

JIMOH, S. B., AFOLABI, K. O., SHUAIB, S. B., & ADESANYA, E. O. (2025). Entrepreneurial Skills Required by Unemployed Youths in Golden Melon Production as Perceived by Teachers and Extension Agents in Nigeria. Ilorin Journal of Education, 45(2), 646–659. Retrieved from https://ije.unilorinedu.sch.ng/index.php/ije/article/view/281