EFFECT OF POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION ON ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION AND ORIENTATION AMONG POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN MODIBBO ADAMA UNIVERSITY, YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The rate of unemployment has been mounting all over the world, especially with the recent global meltdown. This situation has effects on law and order, crimes, and many social issues. Among the most chosen alternative solution to unemployment issues is entrepreneurship. Through the process of innovative entrepreneurship will help to improve the standard of living for people. Nevertheless, the creations of new enterprises are difficult beyond expectations. This is because the creation of a new venture or entrepreneurship is a voluntary process with conscious intention. The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of postgraduate education on entrepreneurial intention and orientation among postgraduate students in Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study is a survey research design in form of causal research design in which data was collected through questionnaire administered to 102 postgraduate students. Data collected was subjected to percentage analysis and hypotheses were tested using regression analysis at 0.05 level of significance. The result revealed that coefficients of the effect of postgraduate students’ gender on entrepreneurial intention and orientation is statistically significant and positive (β = 0.823, t =0.736, p < 0.05). Moreso, coefficients of the effect of postgraduate students’ curriculum content on entrepreneurial intention and orientation is statistically significant and positive (β = 0.777, t = 23.279, p < 0.05). Also, coefficients of the effect of postgraduate students’ attitude on entrepreneurial intention and orientation is statistically significant and positive (β = 0.828, t = 11.722, p < 0.05). In addition, coefficients of the effect of postgraduate students’ self-efficacy on entrepreneurial intention and orientation is statistically significant and positive (β = 0.895, t = 37.773, p < 0.05). This means that there is significant and positive relationship between postgraduate students’ gender, postgraduate students’ curriculum content, postgraduate students’ attitude, postgraduate students’ self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention and orientation among postgraduate students in Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State. The study, recommends that there is a need for Government through National University’s Commission to harmonise curriculum for entrepreneurship education in Nigeria. All students should have a minimum of three months mandatory attachment with firms that can support them in entrepreneurship. Also, lecturers that lecture Entrepreneurship should have more practical knowledge.