Enterpreneurial Education as a Tool for Reducing Unemployment in Nigeria

ABSTRACT: The paper examined Entrepreneurship Education as a tool for reducing unemployment among the graduates. The study emphasized skills and knowledge required to become employable and self-employed. Entrepreneurial opportunities and ability to establish small scale business for self reliance. The issue of unemployment and under-employment as a resultant effect of non utilization of required skills from various
institutions, which made graduates to relay on white collar jobs. The paper observed that unemployment was
inherited from time of our colonial masters who basically operated a policy that does not give opportunity for self employment rather a policy that trained people to become clerk interpreters and inspector among others. It was on this note that, the federal government of Nigeria FRN (2004) on the educational policy introduced an entrepreneurial skills in our various institution of higher learning that can provide skill acquisition for youth in
the country and to be gainfully employed and self reliance. The consequences of youth unemployment were discussed and the possible solutions were also examined. It was recommended that skill acquisition should be
included in the school curriculum. Also technical and vocational training should be implemented in the school
programme. The general public should be enlightened on the importance of entrepreneurship skills to better the
lot of people in the country.
KEY WORDS: Entrepreneurship, Graduates unemployment, self-reliance youth