ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS AND EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA

Abstract

Nigeria has a significant problem of graduate unemployment, which raises the question of whether university education can prepare graduates with skills that are relevant in the labour market. This paper explored the connection between entrepreneurial intentions and employability skills of undergraduates in South-West Nigeria using the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Three research objectives were addressed through one research question and two research hypotheses. The design used was a descriptive survey research design. The study sampled 984 final-year students using a random sampling technique. A self-constructed questionnaire titled Entrepreneurial Intentions and Employability Skills among Undergraduates Questionnaire (EIESAUQ) was used. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation at a 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that the average level of employability skills among the undergraduates (grand mean = 3.47) was generally high, with the highest degree observed in teamwork skills. Significant positive relationships were found between subjective norms and employability skills (r = .43, p < .05) and between perceived behavioural control and employability skills (r = .44, p < .05). The study concludes that entrepreneurial intention variables are significant in enhancing the employability competencies of Nigerian undergraduates. The study suggests that government agencies should promote university–industry collaboration through supportive policies, funding, and national employability programmes, while employers provide structured internships and mentorship.