An assessment of entrepreneurial skills of LIS students in Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara-State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the entrepreneurial skills of LIS students in Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria. The descriptive research survey design was used for this study. The population for the study consisted of 250 HND I and HND II students of Department Of Library and Information Science for 2021/2022 academic session. Purposive sampling technique was used since it is believed that they have completed their mandatory Industrial Training Programme and offered entrepreneurship education course for at least 5 semesters. 250 questionnaires were distributed and 236 questionnaires (representing 94.4%) were returned and found usable. Data from the study were analyzed using mean. Mean was used to answer all the research questions and decision rule for positive (agreed) response was set at mean score of 2.50 and above, while a mean score of below 2.50 set as negative and rejected. The major findings of the study included low level of entrepreneurial skills acquisition by the LIS students; out of the sixteen skills examined, they only agreed to have 4; the major challenges identified were lack of financial support to start a business, high student population among others. It was recommended that the curriculum should be reviewed and practical skills required to function effectively as an entrepreneur after graduation should be included.