Title: PERCIEVED INFLUENCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION ON STUDENTS’ ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS, INNOVATION CAPACITY, AND SELF-RELIANCE AMONG VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY

Authors:
Daya Ufulul Lamech & Umar Mohammed Umar

Abstract: Abstract The study investigated the perceived influence of entrepreneurship education on students’ entrepreneurial intentions, innovation capacity, and self-reliance among students in Nigerian Universities. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised all 89 PhD students of the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) driven from Departments of Agricultural Education, Entrepreneurship Education, Business Education, Computer and Robotics Education, and Industrial Technical Education of the 2025/2026 academic session at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). No sampling was carried out because the population was manageable. Two research questions guided the study. A structured questionnaire titled Entrepreneurship Education and Students’ Development Questionnaire (EESDQ) was utilized for data collection. The instrument was validated by experts from the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Cronbach Alpha reliability was used to determine the internal consistency of the instrument, and a reliability coefficient of 0.81 was obtained. Data were collected electronically using Google Forms distributed through online platforms. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. The study revealed that from the perspective of postgraduate vocational and technical education (VTE) students, entrepreneurship education significantly enhances their entrepreneurial intentions, innovation capacity, and self-reliance. The findings also demonstrate that exposure to entrepreneurial training equips these advanced scholars with innovative thinking skills, business startup orientation, and economic independence necessary for sustainable national development. The study recommended practical-oriented entrepreneurship education, digital innovation training, mentorship programmes, and stronger university-industry collaboration for improved entrepreneurial outcomes among students. Keywords: Entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial intention, innovation capacity, self-reliance, vocational and technical education, students.

Publication Date: 2026-07-21