ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION AND SMES DEVELOPMENT AMONG BUSINESS EDUCATION STUDENTS IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated Entrepreneurship Education skills and SMEs Development among Business Education Students in Colleges of Education, Southwest, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was used for the study. Three research questions were raised. Descriptive survey research design was employed. Target population comprised of all the colleges of education business education lecturers in (167) and colleges of education business education students (2,980) in Southwest, Nigeria. 1280 business education students and 116 business education lecturers were sampled using multi-stage sampling procedure. One instruments–Entrepreneurship Education Indices Students SEMs Development Questionnaire (EEISSDQ)(α = .890)” were used to collect data using the Cronbach Alpha. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions. Results showed moderate level of SMEs Development of students in Colleges of Education (x̅ = 2.900), and moderate level of entrepreneurship education integration into business education curriculum (x̅=2.691). In conclusion, moderate adoption of entrepreneurship education positively affected SMEs Development of Students in Colleges of Education. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that, the government should establish a formal system for recognizing and revisit the business education curriculum regularly.