Entrepreneurial Skills Development as Catalyst for Poverty Alleviation and Youth Empowerment in Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Entrepreneurial skill acquisition across the globe plays critical role to the socio-economic development of the nations through self-empowerment and poverty reduction. This study on   Entrepreneurial Skills Development as Catalyst for Poverty Alleviation and Youth Empowerment in Kogi State is written to examine the impact of Entrepreneurial Skills Development on Poverty Alleviation and Youth Empowerment in Kogi State, Nigeria. The study adopts descriptive research survey design and reached respondents across Kogi East Senatorial District which has nine local governments.  Data were obtained through the use of five points Likert scale with a 12 items structured questionnaire and three hypotheses were tested using linear regression. The results of the study revealed that   personal characteristics has significant relationship on poverty alleviation and youth empowerment in Kogi State. In addition, that interpersonal skills have significant relationship on poverty alleviation and youth empowerment while practical knowledge have significant relationship on poverty alleviation and youth empowerment in Kogi State. This research therefore, concludes that entrepreneurial skill acquisition enhances self empowerment; job creation thereby reduces poverty in Kogi State.  However, entrepreneurial skill acquisition seems not to have been fully utilized in Kogi State thereby poverty and unemployment are still visible in Kogi State. Premised on this, the study recommends that personal characteristics be enhanced especially on the youths through training and development. More so, interpersonal and personal skills be adequately integrated on the youths through periodic training and retraining as through this entrepreneurial pedagogy and tenacity required to operate business ventures successfully will be acquired thereby creating employment and reducing poverty in Kogi state.