ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION AS A PANACEA TO SELF RELIANCE AMONG UNIVERSITY GRADUATES

ABSTRACT This study examines the economic benefits of entrepreneurship education as a strategy for self-reliance among university graduates, focusing on its potential to enhance employability, financial independence, and economic sustainability. Grounded in the theoretical framework of entrepreneurship development and its critical role in job creation, the literature review highlights key themes such as the challenges of unemployment, the importance of skill acquisition, and the transformative impact of entrepreneurial education on graduate self-sufficiency. Existing research underscores how entrepreneurship education can bridge gaps in employment by equipping students with essential business skills, fostering innovation, and promoting self-employment opportunities. Among 100 students drawn from Adeyemi Federal University Of Education Ondo, Nigeria. The study adopted a survey design. Three research questions were raised for the study. Data were collected using a researcher self-developed on entrepreneurship education as a panacea to self reliance among university graduates. The data collected were analyzed using mean. The result of the study showed that students were positive in their perception of the relevance of entrepreneurship education as an empowerment strategy for graduate self-employment. Students rated information skill as the most important skill students should acquire in their preparation for entrepreneurship, followed by financial management skill and risk taking skill. Base on the on findings, it was recommended that government should provide adequate funds to universities to enable them establish and equip entrepreneurial development centers for practical work and adequate teaching personnel both in quality and quantity should be employed to teach entrepreneurial courses in universities.