ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION: A PANEACEA FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, is richly endowed with resources that situate her to be one of the richest countries in the world. Unfortunately, the country sits comfortably in the bowls of poverty indices as shown in such variables like short life span, lack of health services, lack of safe water, nutrition to mention a few. Although efforts have been continuously made in the fight against poverty, to achieve wholesome development and economic sustainability yet the incidence of poverty is still very high. Education which is the process of developing an individual’s all round effectiveness in the society he finds himself for national development as a productive member of the society has not been so effective due to inadequate entrepreneurship skills. This paper, took a critical look at the concept of poverty, the causes of poverty, effects of poverty and poverty alleviation initiatives for sustainable development in Nigeria. The paper suggested ways of improving the poverty situation in the country using entrepreneurship education as the only veritable instrument. The paper contended that entrepreneurship education is the sure way to economic development with improved budgetary provision of 26% to education.