Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Lisa M. Saye

Abstract

Nigerian policy is inconsistent with regard to the promotion of entrepreneurship among young adults in Anambra State that would serve as a guide to becoming self-employed. Most young adults in Anambra State lack information on entrepreneurial characteristics to become self-employed. The issues confronting Anambra State as a result of youth unemployment include increase in crime rate, drug abuse, kidnapping, and suicide rate. Guided by the human capital theory, the purpose of this case study was to explore the entrepreneurship strategies that young adults in Anambra State needed to become self-employed after graduating from universities. Twenty youth entrepreneurs participated in the individual interviews, 5 participated in a focus group, and 5 policymakers participated in another individual interview. Data were coded and analyzed using Yin's 5 step procedure involving compiling, assembling, analysing, dissembling and repeating the entire process three times until the themes emerged. The emerging themes were mentorship, vocational training, and ad-hoc programs. These findings revealed that youth who participated in these programs (mentorship, vocational training and ad-hoc) obtained entrepreneurial strategies and consequently ran more profitable enterprises than those who did not. The implications for positive social change include recommendations to policymakers to expand the mentoring program among young adults and introduce vocational education that could enhance employment rate, thereby improving the standard of living, and create educational programs for university students with the expectation that upon graduation they may be able to develop businesses that may lead to the creation of employment and empower young entrepreneurs towards national growth and development.

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