SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY BUSINESS EDUCATION GRADUATES FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP SURVIVAL

Abstract

Nigeria needs entrepreneurs to survive economically.  There is need to ensure that Nigerian entrepreneurs are adequately prepared to face the challenges of surviving in the ever changing Business environment.  This paper critically examines the crucial skills and requisite knowledge required by Business Education graduates for entrepreneurship survival. It categorizes these skills into human relation, innovative, problem-solving, communication, marketing skills, among others. The need for effective training at schools for business education students in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. This is to ensure that business Education graduates survive the challenges listed above. The growth of the Nigerian economy depends on an energetic private sector catalyzed by entrepreneurship. The researchers used secondary source to gather information for the study. This paper views Business education as having the potentials for promoting and encouraging entrepreneurship in Nigeria because; it could equip Business Education graduates with needed knowledge and  skills for identifying viable business opportunities, appropriate business management, financial management, appropriate marketing and avoidance of entrepreneurship failure. It was recommended that Nigerian youths should be encouraged to study Business education through the provision of various incentives and support, the curriculum planners should include the teaching of the identified entrepreneurship competencies in the curriculum for entrepreneurship education in Nigerian tertiary institutions, Nigerian youths should be encouraged to study Business education, only business educators should be allowed to teach Business education, there should  be  adequate funding  of  Business education and entrepreneurs that lack Business education skills should be encouraged to acquire the skills.