THE ROLE OF YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN REDUCING UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN IMO STATE
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the pivotal role of youth entrepreneurship in reducing unemployment rates
in Nigeria, amidst the backdrop of persistent high youth unemployment, which stood at
approximately 34% as of 2023. Recognizing entrepreneurship as a strategic lever for employment
creation, the research aims to analyze its contributions, identify key challenges faced by young
entrepreneurs, explore emerging opportunities, and evaluate the effectiveness of current policy
support. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative data from
structured questionnaires administered to 384 youth entrepreneurs across major Nigerian cities
with qualitative insights from stakeholder interviews. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics,
chi-square tests, and hypothesis testing to establish relationships between variables. Findings
reveal that over half of respondents believe youth entrepreneurship significantly contributes to
employment reduction, although challenges such as limited access to finance, infrastructural
deficits, and inadequate policy support remain critical barriers. Most respondents also
acknowledge the potential of entrepreneurship to foster Nigeria’s economic development, yet
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