ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION AND VENTURE CREATION AMONG POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Unemployment in Nigeria remains persistently high despite several government intervention programs, many of which have not achieved lasting results. In response, entrepreneurship education (EE) was introduced into tertiary institutions to promote self-reliance and reduce graduate unemployment. This study examines the effect of entrepreneurship education on students’ venture creation at Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State. Entrepreneurship education was measured using four dimensions: entrepreneurial curriculum, polytechnic environment, pedagogical methods, and educators’ competence, while venture creation was treated as a single construct. Data were collected from 403 students through a convenience sampling technique, and hypotheses were tested using SPSS. Findings reveal that effective teaching methods and a supportive polytechnic environment significantly influence students’ venture creation. However, the entrepreneurship curriculum shows no significant effect. The results further indicate that many students are already engaged in entrepreneurial activities through course content and mentorship, while others are preparing to start their ventures. The study recommends a comprehensive review and redesign of the entrepreneurship curriculum to better align with practical entrepreneurial demands.