Government Youth Empowerment Programmes and Entrepreneurship Development in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Youth empowerment programmes, entrepreneurship development, government start-up grants, skills acquisition, mentoring supportAbstract
This study examined government youth empowerment programmes and entrepreneurship development in Nigeria, with evidence from Akwa Ibom State. The study adopted a survey research design. Since the exact number of youths who have benefited from, participated in or are knowledgeable about government youth empowerment programmes in Akwa Ibom State is not readily available, Cochran's formula for an unknown population was used at a 95%confidence level to obtain a sample size of 384 respondents. The questionnaire was structured on a five-point Likert scale, while data analysis followed the pattern of frequency distribution, percentages, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis and simple linear regression using SPSS 27.0. The findings revealed that skills acquisition training has a positive and significant effect on entrepreneurship development among youths in Akwa Ibom State, access to government start-up grants/loans has a positive and significant effect on entrepreneurship development among youths in Akwa Ibom State, and business mentoring and advisory support has a positive and significant effect on entrepreneurship development among youths in Akwa Ibom State. The study concluded that youth empowerment programmes can strengthen entrepreneurship development when practical skills, start-up support and mentoring are implemented as one integrated system rather than as isolated interventions. It was recommended that the government should strengthen market-relevant training, transparent start-up financing, post-training mentoring, and business monitoring and market linkage for youth beneficiaries in Akwa Ibom State.
References
Abba Ahmed, B., and Zubair, M. A. (2024). Youth empowerment for sustainable development in Jigawa State. Dutse Journal of Economics and Development Studies, 13(1), 303-316.
Adegun, E. A., and Ojo, M. O. (2024). Empirical analysis of the effect of youth empowerment on national development in Nigeria. International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Research, 10(11), 102-113.
Adeleke, A. A., and Olaniyi, O. F. (2021). Entrepreneurship training and youth self-employment in South-West Nigeria. Journal of Business and Economic Development, 6(4), 218-227.
Afolabi, I. T., Agunyai, S. C., and Costa, H. (2025). Nigeria's N-Power initiative and youth empowerment. International Journal of Professional Business Review, 10(9), 1-21.
Ajah, E. A., Uduji, J. I., and Okolo-Obasi, E. N. (2024). Public enterprise support and rural livelihoods in Nigeria. Journal of Development Practice, 15(2), 77-96.
Akinola, E. T., Laosebikan, J. O., Akinbode, J. O., Afolabi, F. O., and Olamiti, A. O. (2023). Youth empowerment programmes through entrepreneurial skills acquisition for self-reliance in Ondo State, Nigeria: An appraisal. International Journal of Professional Business Review, 8(11), 1-21.
Akpan, I. (2026). Akwa Ibom government to train 31,000 youths annually through skill centres. Premium Times Nigeria.
Akwa Ibom State Government. (2024). ARISE Youth Employment Portal. https://employment.akwaibomstate.gov.ng/
Anikeze, N. H., Egwuagu, U. B., and Igbokwe, C. I. (2025). Digitalized entrepreneurship scheme and youth empowerment in Enugu State. NIJCRHSS, 5(2), 1-16.
Anoke, A. F., and Okafor, C. A. (2023). Business mentoring as a strategy for entrepreneurship growth in Anambra State, Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Management Review, 11(4), 21-35.
Bashir, U. (2025). The impact of entrepreneurship skill acquisition on the economic empowerment of youths in Southern Senatorial District, Taraba State. SSR Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(8), 53-59.
Bepeh, B. (2024). Entrepreneurial mentoring and youth entrepreneurs' participation in job creation in Cross River State. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Development Studies, 9(2), 112-128.
Chidi, W. N. (2025). Exploring the influence of effective entrepreneurial education on youth employment in Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, 12(10), 1-14.
Chukwuka, E. J., and Imide, I. O. (2023). Entrepreneurship development as a strategy for curbing youth unemployment in developing economy. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, 7(2), 44-61.
Eze, M. C., and Nwankwo, C. A. (2020). Skill acquisition and poverty reduction among youths in South-East Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Social Development, 9(2), 73-88.
Fatoki, O. O. (2019). The skills acquisition programme and youth empowerment development in Ondo State. World Scientific News, 125, 119-132.
Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. (2019). National youth policy 2019-2023: Enhancing youth development and participation in the context of sustainable development.
Harry, D. M. (2026). Entrepreneurship and youth empowerment in Nigeria: The imperative for enhanced digital skills development. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, 9(1), 19-30.
Hillary, A. N., Bridget, E. U., and Igbokwe, C. I. (2025). Digitalized entrepreneurship scheme and youth empowerment in Enugu State. NIJCRHSS, 5(2), 1-16.
Ibrahim, A., Aliyu, M., and Hassan, B. (2026). Assessment of N-Power programme impact on youths as a sustainable empowerment development in Adamawa and Gombe States. UKR Journal of Economics, Business and Management, 10(2), 23-37.
Komolafe, M. A., Adeyemi, O. S., and Balogun, T. O. (2022). N-Power Agro programme and youth empowerment in Lagos State. Journal of Public Policy and Administration, 6(3), 55-71.
Mbah, S., and Odozi, A. F. (2018). Entrepreneurship education and youth empowerment in selected states in South-East Nigeria. UBS Journal of Business and Social Sciences, 3(1), 15-28.
Mboho, K. S. (2021). Youth empowerment programme and poverty reduction in Akwa Ibom State. AKSU Journal of Management Sciences, 6(1), 1-15.
Michael, P. O. (2021). Assessment of business mentoring and entrepreneurial development in Calabar metropolis of Cross River State. Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 10(4), 11-21.
National Bureau of Statistics. (2024). Nigeria Labour Force Survey Q2 2024. https://www.nigerianstat.gov.ng/
Nnaeto, C. O., and Nwambuko, T. C. (2023). N-Power programme and youth entrepreneurship development in Nigeria: An assessment. International Journal of Social Science Research and Review, 6(12), 165-180.
Nwaobi, G. C. (2019). The impact of N-Power training and empowerment program on the duration of youth unemployment in Nigeria. MPRA Paper No. 96323.
Obananya, C. (2021). Business mentoring and entrepreneurship development in Anambra State, Nigeria. SSRN Electronic Journal, 1-18.
Okafor, L. C., and Eneh, S. I. (2022). Business advisory services and performance of youth-owned enterprises in Nigeria. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 11(1), 55-70.
Okere, O. P., and Ihua-Jonathan, C. (2024). Influence of entrepreneurship training programmes on socio-economic development of youths. Rivers State University Journal of Education, 27(2), 88-101.
Okolo-Obasi, E. N., and Uduji, J. I. (2023). Government enterprise and empowerment programme and rural entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Journal of Enterprising Communities, 17(4), 772-795.
Omeje, A. N., Jideofor, A., and Ugwu, M. O. (2020). Youth empowerment and entrepreneurship in Nigeria: Implication for economic diversification. SAGE Open, 10(4), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020982996
Omoju, O. E., Ikhide, E. E., Olanrele, I. A., Abeng, L. E., Petreski, M., Adebayo, F. O., Odigie, I., and Muhammed, A. M. (2023). Empirical review of youth-employment policies in Nigeria. Partnership for Economic Policy Working Paper.
Onifade, C. A., and Ajayi, O. P. (2022). Entrepreneurship education and youth employability in Nigeria. Journal of Contemporary Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8(1), 37-50.
Onuoha, B. C., and Nwachukwu, C. C. (2020). Small business development and youth employment in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Management Sciences, 21(1), 89-104.
Osimen, G. U., Etoroma, E. E., Pokubo, I. R., and Adi, H. (2025). N-Power program and youth empowerment in Nigeria. Cogent Social Sciences, 11(1), 2466786. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2025.2466786
Shittu, A. I. (2021). Mentoring and youth entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 24(3), 1-12.
Sunusi, I. (2026). Youth empowerment and their impact on unemployment and poverty reduction in Yobe State. International Journal of Innovative Policy and Sustainable Development, 12(4), 1-14.
Tom, E. J., and Akpan, U. R. (2025). N-Power programme and poverty reduction in Nigeria: Akwa Ibom State perspective. IDEAS Uniuyo Journal of Social and Management Sciences, 9(2), 129-148.
Udia, O. F., and Akpan, U. R. (2025). The impacts of N-Power programmes on poverty reduction and youth empowerments in Nigeria: A study of Eket Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State. African Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, 8(2), 145-168.
Udu, A. A. (2023). Entrepreneurship education and new business creation among Nigerian youths. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 8(1), 62-78.
Umeh, J. C., and Eze, F. O. (2024). Access to credit and survival of youth-owned small businesses in Nigeria. African Journal of Business and Economic Research, 19(2), 101-119.
Usman, H. A., and Bello, R. S. (2024). Government empowerment schemes and microenterprise creation among Nigerian youths. Journal of Public Administration and Development Alternatives, 9(1), 89-104.
Youth Business International. (2025). Shaping the future of youth entrepreneurship to drive a more inclusive economy: Impact report 2024.
Yusuf, M. A., and Okafor, E. E. (2022). Youth enterprise support and self-employment outcomes in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Entrepreneurship Studies, 6(2), 44-59.
Zubair, M. A., and Abba Ahmed, B. (2024). Market-responsive skills and youth empowerment strategies in Northern Nigeria. Dutse Journal of Development Studies, 13(2), 211-229.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal of Finance and Management in Practice (IJFMP)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
