ENTREPRENEURIAL ENGAGEMENT OF NIGERIAN YOUTHS IN FRUITS JUICE ENTERPRISE FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD IN POST PANDEMIC

Abstract

The study investigated entrepreneurial engagement of Nigerian youths in fruits juice enterprise forsustainable livelihood in post pandemic using Delta State as case study. The study adopted survey researchdesign. The population for the study was 136 subjects, comprising 40 Home Economics Lecturers and 96registered fruits juice entrepreneurs. The instrument for data collection for the study was a structured closeended questionnaire face-validated by three experts and with Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.87.Data were collected by the researchers with the help of four research assistants. Out of the 136 copies of thequestionnaire administered, 131 copies were completely filed and returned representing 96.3% return rate.Data were analysed using descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and t-test statistics. From theresults, the study identified 18 equipment required by youths for fruits juice production, 20 requisite skillsrequired by youth for fruits juice production and 12 requisite skills required by youth for marketing of fruitjuice. There are no significant (p<0.05) difference in the mean ratings of Home Economics lecturers andregistered fruits juice entrepreneurs on the equipment (t-cal=0.41) and requisite skills (t-cal=0.37) requiredby youth for marketing fruits juice, whereas, there is significant (p<0.05) difference in the mean ratings ofHome Economics lecturers and registered fruits juice entrepreneurs on the requisite skills (t-cal=2.12)required by youth for fruits juice production. Hence, the study recommended adequate provision of requiredtraining and subsidized equipment and facilities to youth in entrepreneurial engagement in fruits juiceenterprise.