Geopolitical Zones Of Nigeria Research Articles

Distinct pattern of lymphoid neoplasms characterizations according to the WHO classification (2016) and prevalence of associated Epstein\u2013Barr virus infection in Nigeria population

BackgroundThe present study aimed to classify lymphoid neoplasms according to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) classification and outlining the distribution in Nigeria of different entities. Additionally, the study describes the prevalence of lymphoid neoplasms associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in the Nigerian population.MethodsWe collected 152 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues diagnosed as lymphoma from 2008 to 2018, coming from three different institutions located within three geopolitical zone in Nigeria. These institutions included the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Enugu, Enugu State, and the Meena Histopathology and Cytology Laboratory (MHCL), Jos, Plateau State.ResultsFrom the total 152 cases retrieved, 50 were excluded due to insufficient tissue materials or inconclusive antigen reactivity. We confirmed 66 (64.7%) cases as lymphomas out of the remaining 102 FFPE with a male to female ratio of 2:1 and a mean age of 44.4 years. Ten entities were identified, and of these, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was the most prevalent category (34.8%). For the diffuse large B-cell lymphomas not otherwise specified (DLBCL, NOS), the germinal centre B–cell type was the most common (71.4%). Ten lymphoma cases (15.2%) were positive for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), most of which were Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). CLL was common in the Hausa ethnic group, HL in the Yoruba ethnic group, while the Igbo ethnic group had an equal distribution of CLL, HL, and DLBCL diagnosis.ConclusionAlthough the distribution of lymphomas in Nigeria shares some similarities with those of other countries, we described distinct features of some subtypes of lymphomas. Also, the study underscores the need for a more precise diagnosis and classification of lymphoid neoplasms in Nigeria using the latest WHO classification.

May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Nigeria.

The aim of this study is to estimate the frequency of undetected hypertension across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. We conducted an opportunistic screening of adults aged at least 18 years in the month of May 2019. Participants were recruited by trained volunteers using the May Measurement Month protocol. Blood pressure (BP) was measured using validated digital and mercury sphygmomanometers. We defined hypertension as BP ≥140/90 mmHg or the use of BP-lowering medication. A total of 3646 participants (52.8% females) with a mean age of 44.5 ± 15.7 years were screened. Hypertension was present in 39.2% of the participants but only 55. 4% of these were on antihypertensive medications. Only 46.8% hypertensives who were on medications had their BP controlled (<140/90 mmHg). Previous history of hypertension in pregnancy, alcohol intake and smoking were associated with increased mean systolic and diastolic BPs. The frequency of Nigerians with hypertension is high while only about half of those on antihypertensive medications are controlled. A multi-pronged approach to reduce the burden of hypertension is needed.

The COVID-19 pandemic: Stay Home policy and exposure to risks of infection amongNigerians.

The global threat which continues to accompany SARS‐CoV‐2 has led to a global response which adopts lockdown and stays home policy as means of curtailing its spread. This study investigates compliance with the Stay Home policy and exposure to COVID‐19 in Nigeria. A survey was conducted from April 4 to May 8, 2020 using a cross‐sectional mixed‐methods approach to elicit responses from 879 participants across six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Descriptive, χ 2, and multiple regression tests were used to analyze survey data using SPSS, whereas NVivo v12 was used for thematic analysis of qualitative data. States with complete lockdown had 72.4% of respondents complying fully with the policy compared with 44.2% of respondents in zones with the partial lockdown. Market places, classified as high‐risk zones, were the most visited (n = 505; 71.0%). Though compliance was influenced by the nature of lockdown enforced (χ 2 = 70.385, df = 2; p < 0.05), being a female, a widow, and unemployed were associated with increased compliance. Exposure to COVID‐19 was associated with being married, unemployed, and having no income. Fear, anxiety, and misperception play major roles in compliance. The authors conclude that compliance is not uniform and a more nuanced and targeted approach is required as the government continues to respond to the COVID‐19 global pandemic.

Psychosocial experiences of infant mortality by mothers in Nigeria

This study examined the psychosocial experiences of infant mortality by mothers in Nigeria. Mothers (n = 2 400) from the six geo-political zones in Nigeria participated in the study (age range = 18 to 40 years and above; African Traditional Religion (ATR) = 3%, Christian = 62%, Islam = 35%). The mothers self-reported their demographic data and completed the Psychosocial Experiences of Infant Mortality scale. Logistic regression analysis indicated that locality and marital status predicted mothers’ disposition toward psychosocial experiences of infant mortality.educational qualification of mothers also significantly predicted their psychosocial experiences. The findings suggest that psychosocial management practices could be helpful in counselling mothers who experienced infant mortality.

Predictors of antibiotic prescriptions: a knowledge, attitude and practice survey among physicians in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria

BackgroundAs part of the Global Action Plan against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), countries are required to generate local evidence to inform context-specific implementation of national action plans against AMR (NAPAR). We aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding antibiotic prescriptions (APR) and AMR among physicians in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria, and to determine predictors of KAP of APR and AMR.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we enrolled physicians practicing in tertiary hospitals from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASP) by each selected hospital were assessed using a 12 item ASP checklist. We used a structured self-administered questionnaire to assess the KAP of APR and AMR. Frequency of prescriptions of 18 different antibiotics in the prior 6 months was assessed using a Likert’s scale. KAP and prescription (Pr) scores were classified as good (score ≥ 80%) or average/poor (score < 80%). Independent predictors of good knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAPPr) were ascertained using an unconditional logistic regression model.ResultsA total of 1324 physicians out of 1778 (74% response rate) practicing in 12 tertiary hospitals in 11 states across all six geopolitical zones participated in the study. None of the participating hospitals had a formal ASP programme and majority did not implement antimicrobial stewardship strategies. The median KAPPr scores were 71.1%, 77%, 75% and 53.3%, for the knowledge, attitude, practice, and prescription components, respectively. Only 22.3%, 40.3%, 31.6% and 31.7% of study respondents had good KAPPr, respectively. All respondents had prescribed one or more antibiotics in the prior 6 months, mostly Amoxicillin-clavulanate (98%), fluoroquinolones (97%), and ceftriaxone (96.8%). About 68% of respondents had prescribed antibiotics from the World Health Organization reserve group. Prior AMR training, professional rank, department, and hospital of practice were independently associated with good KAPPr.ConclusionsOur study suggests gaps in knowledge and attitude of APR and AMR with inappropriate prescriptions of antibiotics among physicians practicing in tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. Nigeria’s NAPAR should also target establishment and improvement of ASP in hospitals and address institutional, educational, and professional factors that may influence emergence of AMR in Nigeria.

Utilization of Open Source Software in Nigeria Academic Libraries: Matters Arising

This study assessed the factors affecting the effective utilization of KOHA by librarians in Nigerian academic and research libraries. A descriptive survey was adopted using a purposive sampling technique to select forty-five libraries over the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria (twenty universities, both private and public, ten Polytechnics, and five colleges of education). An online structured questionnaire was sent to forty-five libraries. Thirty-six libraries completed the questionnaire. This was analyzed by constraints to use, the extent of use, and effectiveness of Koha using simple frequency and percentage. The findings revealed that lack of institutional support, inadequate information, and negative attitudes of librarians were some of the challenges facing Koha in Nigeria. Based on the findings, libraries should implement Koha and join the Koha software users’ group for effective understanding and utilization of all modules.

Low First Wave COVID-19 cases and health seeking behaviors across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria

This study was carried out across the six geopolitical zones to assess knowledge and health seeking behaviors of Nigerians during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in order to understand the seemingly low cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Structured and pretested short questionnaires were employed to obtain information electronically and physically across the six geopolitical zones on socio-demographic characteristics of participants; the knowledge of participants on COVID-19 disease; availability and accessibility to testing and isolation centers in the communities, attitudes and health seeking behaviors. Atotal of 1023 respondents; 705 (68.9%) males and 318 (31.1%) females across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria participated in this study with 477(46.6%) within the 26-45 years age category, and 6(0.6%) above 66 years. Atotal of 985(96.3%) had heard about COVID-19 at the time of survey while a total of 859(84.0%) of the respondents were aware of the presence of COVID-19 laboratory testing centers. Across the geopolitical zones, majority of the respondents 487(47.6%) claimed there are no routine testing for COVID-19 at their community level, while 303 (29.6%) affirmed otherwise and 216(21.1%) did not know if there were routine testing going on or not. On health seeking behaviors across the country, majority of the respondents 558(54.5%) affirmed they would visit the hospital as the first point of contact if the opportunitypresented itself, 244(23.9%) claimed they would call the NCDC toll line, 2(0.2%) said they would use prayers, while 1(0.1%) respectively claimed they would use home management strategies through visiting chemist stores and checking the internet for solutions. Findings from this study confirm that there is very high awareness of the COVID-19 disease across the country, and limited number of testing centers at the community level. The implications include the possibility of unreported COVID19 cases in the cities as well as in the communities.&#x0D; Keywords: COVID-19, knowledge, health seeking behaviors, community level

Shortage of Professional Science and Environmental Education Teachers in Nigeria

This study evaluated the shortage of professional science and environmental education teachers in Nigeria’s educational institutions. The study used descriptive research survey design. The population of the study comprised of all public primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The sample size comprised of 600 science and environmental education students respectively made up of 200 pupils, 200 secondary students, and 200 tertiary students, selected randomly from six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The research instrument used for data collection was a 18 structured questionnaire items rated on a 4-point Likert scale, with response options of Strongly Agree (SA); Agree (A); Disagree (D); and Strongly Disagree (SD).The responses of the respondents were presented in simple statistical table and analysed using Mean (x̅) and Grand Mean (gx̅). The findings revealed that problems of shortage of professional Science and Environmental Education teachers is common to the Nigerian educational institutions at all levels. Based on the result of findings, it was recommended that Environmental Education infused concepts in science subjects should be taught by qualified Environmental Education teachers and lecturers at all levels of education, beginning from the primary level to tertiary level in Nigeria.

Addressing the Role of Sustainable Public Procurement as a Panacea for Sustainable Development in the Local Government Areas: The Episode of Nigeria

The coronavirus has displaced local communities across the nation as their livelihood is compromised. This study explores extensively the challenges confronting sustainable public procurement in the local government areas that bothers sustainable development amid COVID-19. This study conducted semi-structured interviews with eight procurement experts from eight leading local government areas with documented evidence of extensive procurement activity across four geopolitical zones of Nigeria to obtain primary data. Findings from this study suggest a tremendous decline in the livelihood of the rural communities amid the pandemic and ridicule of local government procurement practice across the region. The study also finds a significant level of interference by the state government that continually denies the local government administration from attaining sustainable development compared to their counterparts in the developed societies. Keywords: Sustainable public procurement, Sustainable development, Local government areas, COVID-19, Sub-Saharan Africa – Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-8-01 Publication date: April 30 th 2021

SERVICE QUALITY AND STUDENTS’ SATISFACTION IN B.SC MARKETING DEGREE PROGRAMMES OF SELECTED PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

Delivering satisfactory educational quality is paramount to achieving institutional objectives such as improve revenue, enrolment growth, contributes significantly to the goal of sustainable competitive advantage for most for-profit universities. In Nigeria, many private universities are recording low enrolment into their BSc Marketing degree programmes. However, students’ disposition to marketing as a course of study has not been well studied. Most marketing education studies have focused mainly on the teaching methodologies without giving due consideration quality of educational experience that shape enrolment into this vital field of study. This study examined the effect Service Quality (SQ) and Students’ Satisfaction (SS) into BSc. Marketing degree programmes in selected Nigerian private universities in South Western Nigeria. Cross-sectional survey research design was adopted in this study. The population consisted of 201 BSc undergraduate students from six selected private universities from South Western geo-political zone of Nigeria. Total enumeration was employed and all the undergraduate marketing students of the six selected private universities were respondents for this work. A structured questionnaire was adapted and validated. The Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficient for the constructs were indicated thus; SQ =0.833 and SS=0.88807. The response rate of 97.5 % was achieved for this study. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that that service quality had significant effect on student satisfaction for B.Sc. Marketing degreeprogrammes in selected private universities in South Western Nigeria (R2= 0.084, β = 0.252, t = 2.757, p&lt;0.05). The study recommended that universities and marketing professional associations should commit significant resources to organizing career fairs, workshops, essay competitions and expert series to create public awareness on the importance of marketing as a career and the foundational role the profession plays in profit and non-profit organizations.

Towards effective and efficient COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria

Vaccines are prospective subverts in battling the COVID-19 virus ravaging the globe and the Nigerian cold-chain system needs a thorough overhaul in order to optimize vaccine distribution. This paper presents a situational analysis of the Nigerian cold chain system, the challenges and opportunities that exist. The problems plaguing the aforementioned system are diverse, ranging from lack of infrastructure, inadequate capacity and limited integration of recent technology to poor training of workers in the cold chain system and these problems are accentuated by the storage peculiarities of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. It also compares the capabilities of cold chain workers in the various geopolitical zones in Nigeria and gives a succinct insight into the situation of the cold chain system in neighbouring African countries. Additionally, measures to mitigate the devastating effects of the defective cold-chain system and facilitate effective and efficient distribution of the vaccines are also proffered and these measures include reorganization of the supply chain, training of vaccinators and technicians, accurate estimation of future needs and procurement of infrastructure to increase storage capacity and preserve the cold chain. Finally, it offers recommendations on COVID-19 vaccine procurement in consistence with our economic realities and distribution.

Do behavioral, educational, and legal factors determine the applicability of forensic accounting in the public sector?

This study examined the impact of educational, legal, and behavioral factors on the applicability of forensic accounting in the public sector in Nigeria. The study utilized primary data through the administration of questionnaires to accountants the internal and external auditors drawn from seven states of the North-Western geo-political zone of Nigeria. Partial Least Squares (PLS) path modeling using smart PLS3 Statistical Software was employed for the analysis. The findings indicated that behavioral, educational, and legal factors are positively related to the applicability of forensic accounting in the states. The results revealed the importance of giving special consideration to educational, legal, and behavioral factors to ensure the successful application of forensic accounting to deter and detect corruption and other fraudulent activities in Nigeria. The study shows how educational and professional institutions would assist in the promotion of the awareness, knowledge, and skills of forensic accounting.

Resource allocation, weaponised poverty, and deviant economies in Nigeria

ABSTRACT This article examined the implications of resource allocation for weaponised poverty and deviant economies in Nigeria. It used a quantitative method to collect data from 600 respondents randomly selected from three of the existing six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Through purposive sampling, it selected 12 in-depth interview respondents to obtain complementary qualitative data that were content analysed. The logistic regression analysis indicated a significant relationship between resource allocation and weaponised poverty in Nigeria (β = 2.095 P value < .001). The article concludes that the presence of resources in each state of Nigeria undermines the politics of ethnic entitlement. To prevent more citizens from sliding into poverty, it suggests a paradigm shift from the political resource allocation formula (PRAF) to an equitable resource allocation formula (ERAF) alternative or an admixture of ERAF and concessional resources allocation formula (CRAF).

Digital Preservation, Accessibility, and Use of Electronic Theses and Dissertations in University Libraries in Nigeria

This study examined the concepts and aspects of digitization; digital preservation; digital resources; and access to, use of, and challenges posed by electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) in university libraries in six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. It adopted a documentary research approach to highlight a critical examination of the various aspects of digitization (to provide electronic information services) as practiced by various university libraries and some library schools in Nigeria. Print theses and dissertations (T/Ds) are digitized by document scanning or direct text input (alphanumeric characters) into computer systems. Digital resources include e-books, e-journals, ETDs, and other forms of documents in electronic formats. ETDs are preserved through digitization, archiving, and creation of websites and databases as well as through floating institutional digital repositories (IDRs). ETD access is facilitated by tools such as automated library catalogs and classification schemes, online public access catalog, indexes, abstracts, bibliographies, and mobile devices such as smartphones and personal computers. ETDs are capable of meeting research and publication needs of teaching, information service delivery, and knowledge sharing. Challenges to digital preservation, access, and use of ETDs include inadequate information and communications technology (ICT) facilities, low ICT proficiency, and erratic power supply. Thus, this study recommended that management teams of universities in Nigeria commit adequate funding to procure ICT facilities, thus providing automatic standby generating plants and increasing incentives for library and digital preservation staff. Collaboration among stakeholders such as university libraries and the National Library of Nigeria should be encouraged to create a national union catalog of T/Ds in Nigerian universities and thus enable a platform for a national database. Access to IDRs will further strengthen worldwide university networking. This study will thus add value to the existing studies on ICT application in university libraries and e-resources in university libraries in Nigeria.

The Role of National Farmers Helps Line in Agricultural Information Dissemination Among Crop Farmers in Nigeria: A Case Study of Farmers Help Line Centre, NAERLS ABU Zaria

The study examined the role of national farmers helpline in agricultural information dissemination among crop farmers in Nigeria, with the specific objectives to identify the various sources of information on agricultural practices available to the farmers and identify the various information disseminated to the farmers from the National Farmers Helpline. One Thousand farmers were randomly selected from the farmers who frequently call the Helpline Centre from the database of NAERLS across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria; to source the required information. Some of the crop farmers were contacted through phone calls, SMS, and social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp while some were through administration of questionnaires and face to face discussion. Data sourced were subjected to descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and percentage for analysis and were presented in tables and charts. The findings reveal that the Farmers Help Line Centre, NEARLS supply farmers around the country with all the necessary information on cultural practices, access to improved seed varieties, fertilizer and application, pest and disease management practices, weed management practices, marketing strategies, post-harvest activities, management of farm tools and machineries and also information on Government policies on agriculture. It is recommended that stakeholders of National Farmers Help Line ensure the sustainability of its services by including other Nigerian languages to have a larger coverage and not limiting spoken languages to only the major Nigerian languages (English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Nigerian pidgin); and also extend their services to West African countries and other parts of the globe at large.&#x0D; Key words: Agriculture, information, dissemination and crop farmers

Science and Skill Acquisition in Junior Secondary School in Ekiti State, Nigeria

This study examined science and skill acquisition in junior Secondary Schools in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive research of the survey type. Participants were 240 science-oriented youths randomly selected from six states across six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Three instruments titled “Problem of Unemployment in your Locality Questionnaire” (PUYLQ), “Skill Acquisition Programme Questionnaire” (SAPEQ) and “Security Challenges Questionnaire” (SCQ) were used to collect data for the study. The reliability of PUYLQ, SAPEQ and SCQ were determined through test and re-test method and these yielded a correlation co-efficient of 0.87, 0.85 and 0.89, respectively at 0.05 level of significance. Two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data. The finding revealed that employment can significantly influence level of skill acquisition programme among science based students in Nigeria. The finding also revealed that gender has no significant influence on level of skill acquisition programmes among science-based students. The study revealed that employment status and level of skill acquisition can significantly influence security challenges in Nigeria. It was recommended that government should provide employment for the science based graduates for national development. Government should also engage the jobless science based graduates with skill acquisition programmes to reduce social vices in the country. It was also recommended that, there should be no gender disparity while creating employment for science based students. In addition, both male and female Science graduates should give opportunity for participating in skill acquisition programmes for national development. Keywords: National development, Skill acquisition programmes, Science Graduates, Employment/job opportunities, Insecurity. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-8-06 Publication date: March 31 st 2021

Does growth enhancement support scheme (GESS) contribute to youth development in informal farm entrepreneurship? Evidence from rural communities in Nigeria

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically examine the impact of a growth enhancement support scheme (GESS) on youth development in informal farm entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of the GESS on rural youths’ adoption of new technologies needed to sustainably increase food security in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopts a survey research technique, aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population, as it is essentially cross-sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total of 800 rural youths were sampled across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.FindingsThe result from the use of a bivariate probit model indicates that the GESS has a significant impact on rural youths’ innovations in farming.Practical implicationsThis suggests that information and communication technology could provide new opportunities for making farming more interesting and enterprising for rural young people.Social implicationsIt implies that while old male and female farmers are less likely to adopt the new farming technologies needed to achieve Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda (ATA), a younger generation can help introduce new technologies, while also learning from traditional methods.Originality/valueThis research adds to the literature on informal farm entrepreneurship and rural communities’ debate in developing countries. It concludes that engaging youths in GESS should form the foundation of the ATA in Nigeria, which, in turn, would offer adequate combination of new and traditional solution to address the challenges of food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Comparative Study of Education Funding in Nigeria

This study provides a comparative review of education funding across geopolitical zones in Nigeria and draws a nexus between Nigeria’s budgetary allocation to education and some selected African countries. Education funding in Nigeria has lagged the UNESCO’s advised 15%-20% of the government's annual budget to education in the last three decades. We assess education funding across the six geopolitical zones between 2010 and 2019 using content analysis of the respective states. A review of the WAEC enrollment for states in each zone is performed to compare how education funding impacts WAEC enrollment in Nigeria. The study identifies a link between poverty and income inequality and education funding in Nigeria by leveraging data from the World Bank and Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) from 2001-2019. We identify low funding of education as the primary driver of poverty and inequality in Nigeria. The study recommends a diversified funding mechanism to enhance the sector's funding and improve the quality of education in the country. Keywords: Education Funding, Poverty and Inequality, Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-5-01 Publication date: February 28 th 2021

Emergence of risk culture and lean culture in Nigeria during pandemic and crisis era: Using confirmatory analysis

This research focused on the emergence of risk culture and lean culture in Nigeria during pandemic and crisis era. The study adopted correlation research design and time horizon of cross sectional design with data generated from dealers in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria on confectionery goods that are the most enterprising entrepreneurs. The study used systematic sampling and non-proportionate stratified random sampling techniques. 540 copies of questionnaire were distributed to the respondents and 497 copies were completed fit for further analysis. The content validity was used for validating the instrument, while the internal consistency reliability was achieved using Cronbach Alpha technique. The reliability coefficient analysis was risk appetite (α =0.821), risk tolerance (α=0.829) and client-focused purpose (α=0.799). The synchronization of the principal component was confirmed using Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) of (0.904)/(0.861) and Bartlett's Test matching approx. chi-square (5763.988)/(2158.608) at 0.000 null hypotheses respectively were rejected. Furthermore, Pearson Product Correlation Co-efficient was introduced to test the two hypotheses via SPSS 25 version. From the findings, emergence of risk culture influence lean culture positively. In conclusion, risk appetite and risk tolerance revealed significant influence the client-focused purpose of confectionery goods. Based on the findings and conclusion, this study contributes to the knowledge that Kaizen Culture formed a formidable force applicable to the micro and macro enterprise that influences client-focused purpose, also emergence of risk culture and lean culture synchronization is transformation tool for every enterprise to pursuit her vision and mission. It could be recommended that Risk tolerance should has short-term metrics drawn from the long-term of risk appetite dashboard to avoid deviation from specific goals and corporate objectives.

Entrepreneurial competencies of undergraduate students: The case of universities in Nigeria

The present study builds on Morris et al.‘s entrepreneurial competencies (ECs) identified from their 2013 Delphi study, to examine whether students' compulsory participation in entrepreneurship education (EE) in Nigerian higher education institutions (HEIs) influences their development of the identified 13 ECs for business start-up after graduation. Data were collected from 1191 final year undergraduates in 12 public universities within the six geo-political zones of Nigeria using questionnaire derived from the constructs of the 13 identified ECs. Findings show that students' participation in EE associated positively with five of the thirteen ECs including opportunity recognition, opportunity assessment, creative problem-solving, self-efficacy and building and using networks. However, we found no evidence of a positive association between students' participation in EE and the development of the remaining eight ECs including risk management/mitigation, conveying a compelling vision, tenacity/perseverance, resource leveraging, guerrilla skills, value creation through innovation, ability to maintain focus yet adapt, and resilience. This study contributes to the body of knowledge and covers a gap in the literature about the paucity of research on whether students' compulsory participation in EE in Nigerian HEIs help to improve students' development of the identified 13 ECs for business start-up after graduation. Also, while the study focused on Nigeria, the findings apply to other countries that have similar issues addressed in this study.