THE IMPACT OF SMALL SCALE ENTERPRISES IN EMPLOYMENT GENERATION IN ADO EKITI (CASE STUDY OF ABUAD VENTURES, ADO EKITI, EKITI STATE)

The study examine the effect of small and medium scale enterprises on economic development in Nigeria. The study was conducted using Abuad ventures, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.The objective was to investigate the impact of SMEs on poverty reduction in Ekiti State. Also, to examine the impact of SMEs on employment generation in Ekiti State. It also examine the impact of SMEs in improving the standard of living in Ekiti State. A survey method of descriptive design was used for the study. The population for this study covers the 100 workers of ABUAD Ventures in Ado Ekiti. A sample of 50 employees from ABUAD Ventures in Ado Ekiti was selected using random sampling techniques. The sample size was determined based on statistical considerations, such as the desired level of precision and confidence interval. Structured questionnaire was used as the main instrument used for the study. The majority of respondents strongly agreed that SMEs significantly contributed to poverty reduction. Also, supported the positive impact of SMEs by indicating that SMEs generate employment opportunities. The findings reinforced the positive perceptions. Respondents strongly agreed that SMEs have significantly improved the standard of living, with an enhanced quality of life attributed to SME activities. The researcher recommended that the organization should prioritize enhanced research and data collection efforts to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on economic development.