Self-efficacy, government support, gender, and apprenticeship as predictors of entrepreneurial intention among graduates in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose of the study: This study sets out to unpack important predictors of entrepreneurial intention (EI) among fresh graduates in Nigeria, with specific attention to self-efficacy, government support, gender, and apprenticeship. The study provides further empirical evidence on interventions that are needed to motivate and mobilise support for entrepreneurship among the youth and to curb the menace of unemployment in the country. Design/methodology/approach: The study utilised a dataset on apprenticeship and entrepreneurial characteristics of 16 296 graduates collected through a cross-sectional survey in 2020/1. Findings: The study identified high EI among the graduates. Logistic regression results showed that selfefficacy, gender neutrality, access to loans, apprenticeship experience, relational support and government support are highly likely to significantly influence EI among graduates. The results suggested that to increase the pool of entrepreneurs in the country, government support and apprenticeship are fundamental, and these factors could be reinforced with entrepreneurship education and graduates' self-efficacy. Recommendations/value: The study recommends that the government, university administrators, and relevant stakeholders need to create new and strengthen existing entrepreneurship facilities such as incubators, innovation hubs, and science parks, and float innovation and competitive business funds/grants to motivate graduates to pursue practical business ideas. Managerial implications: A major implication of the study is that entrepreneurship education is important to boosting graduates' self-efficacy and where it is supported by government support and entrepreneurial infrastructure, there is a high likelihood of an increased stock of entrepreneurs within the system. Therefore, university administrators, SAED managers, government and key stakeholders have to create an enabling policy environment and appropriate infrastructures to support graduates' transition to entrepreneurs.