Small Business Activities and Economic Development in Nigeria (a Case Study of Comestar Company, Agbara)
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The objective of this study can be stated as follows:
- To specifically determine the influence of small business enterprise operation and the growth of Nigerian economy.
- To determine the influence of small business enterprise activities on employment generation.
- To examine the effects of small business enterprise activities on developing entrprenuers in Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Many scholars have written widely on entrepreneurship and its potency to generate employment, thus, underscoring the quintessence, significance and relevance of this sub-sector in the development of any given economy. The experiences of developed economies in relation to the roles played by entrepreneurship buttresses the fact that the importance of entrepreneurship cannot be overemphasized especially among the Developing Countries. In order to highlight its significance in relation to the growth and development of a given economy, entrepreneurship has been variously referred to as a “source of employment generation”. This is because Entrepreneurial activities have been found to be capable of making positive impacts on the economy of a nation and the quality of life of the people (Adejumo, 2000). Studies have established its positive relationship with stimulation of economic growth; employment generation; and empowerment of the disadvantaged segment of the population, which include women and the poor (Oluremi and Gbenga, 2011; Thomas and Mueller, 2000; Reynolds, 1987). Nigeria as a country has numerous business and investment potentials due to the abundant, vibrant and dynamic human and natural resources it possesses. Tapping these resources require the ability to identify potentially useful and economically viable fields of endeavours. Nigerians have made their marks in diverse fields such as science, technology, academics, business and entertainment. Thus, entrepreneurship activities and innovative ingenuity in Nigeria have developed enterprises in the following areas. Agricultural/agro-allied activities where there are foodstuffs, restaurants, fast food vending etc. In the area of solid minerals, there are quarrying, germ stone cutting/polishing and crushing engineering. In power and transport, there are power generations, Haulage business (cargo and passengers). In the area of information and telecom business, there are manufacturing and repairs of GSM accessories and the printing and selling of Recharge cards. In hospitality and tourism business, there are hotels, accommodation, resorts centres, film and home video production; in oil and gas business, there are construction and maintenance of pipelines, drilling, refining bye products. In the area of environmental and waste management business, there is refuse collection/disposal, recyclement, and drainage/sewage construction job. In the area of financial banking services, there are banking, insurance and stock trading. In engineering and fabrication work, there are machines and tools fabrications. There is also the building and construction, where there are plan and design services and material sourcing (Agbeze, 2012).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology shall be adopted in this project, this is because the impact of entrepreneurship development and employment generation in small scale business in Nigeria which is the main concept in the project cannot be qualified nor captured by a single research method.
RESEARCH DESIGN
The success and failure of this research depends on the degree of facts gather during the data collection period.
As a result, this data collection was not based only on questionnaire but rather face-to-face interview with employee and top management of the company was highly used. Basically both primary and secondary sources of data are also used in collecting information.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULT
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the description of the result of data collection and discussion of findings. According to the questionnaire administered the table below gives a clear picture of the view of respondents.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY OF THE STUDY
The appeal of Entrepreneurship as a solution to the problems of unemployment can be traced in many countries to its size as well as its ability to grow and provide jobs in spite of formidable obstacles. Yet, there are many scholars who question this line of thinking. They argue that entrepreneurship, especially in the Nigerian context is not a source of economic dynamism and presents a little more than survival activity. At best, according to this line of reasoning, EDPs in Nigeria provide a type of training ground that is inadequate at preparing individuals to become self-employed or to compete for formal sector jobs. EDPs have been described as a short-term approach to the unemployment crisis, designed for new entrepreneurs, introducing them to the basic elements of starting and managing a business.
CONCLUSION
That youth unemployment in Nigeria is endemic is stating the obvious. Its concomitant consequences on both the youth and the entire country cannot be relegated to the background hence the waning of agricultural practices, lingering poverty, hunger, social vices and insecurity at a very alarming rate have so characterized the Nigerian society. This is considering the fact that about 70% of the entire Nigeria’s 150 Million populace are Youths whose about 71% are unemployment majorly graduates who are from 20 years and above, affecting adversely the workforce utility of the country.
RECOMMENDATION
In line with the findings of the study the following recommendations are made:
- Adequate financial, physical and human resources should be provided by various stakeholders not only for potential but also for existing entrepreneurs.
- Private sector should be proactively involved in the design and implementation of EDP, and private sector involvement should extend to funding.
- The scope of the training programme by EDP should be extended to include technical skills, managerial skills and business skills.
REFERENCES
- Camp, W.G. (1983). “Social efficiency and vocational education: An examination of our changing philosophies”. Journal of Vocational Education Research 8(3), pp. 10 – 19.
- Chiguta, F. (2001). Youth livelihoods and Enterprise Activities in Zambia. Report to IDRC Canada.
- Adejumola, A.S. and Tayo-Olajubutu, T.O. (2009). Spinning off an Entrepreneurship culture among Nigerian university studies: Prospect and challenges. African Journal of Business Management, Vol. 3(3), pp. 80 – 88.
- Alanana, O.O. (2003). Youth Unemployment in Nigeria: Some Implications for the Third Millennium. Global Journal of Social Sciences, 2(1), 21 – 26.
- Anasi, S.N. (2010). Curbing youth restiveness in Nigeria: the role of information