The Impact of Promoters’ Contribution to Entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition Programmes on Job Creation and Poverty Alleviation in Ondo State, Nigeria

The study assesses how entrepreneurial Skills Acquisition Programmes (ESAPs) contribute to job creation and poverty alleviation in Ondo State, Nigeria. Specifically, determined the difference in the contributions of specific ESAPs by the promoters to job creation; juxtaposed the effect of specific ESAPs by the promoters on poverty alleviation; and ascertained the effect of job creation through ESAPs on poverty alleviation. In achieving the objectives of the study, cross-sectional case study, comparative multiple cases and quantitative descriptive survey research design were adopted. Data were collected using structured questionnaire which were administered to 160 respondents selected from 10 active ESAPs in Ondo State out of the 20 programmes that have existed from the inception of the State to 2021 to source the primary data for the study. The responses from the questionnaire administered were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools which included frequency table; descriptive analysis statistical tables with mean and standard deviation, Analysis of Variance and Scheffe’s Pair wise multiple comparisons, Pearson Product Moment Correlation and regression to analyze the research questions and objectives. Analysis of Variance and Scheffe’s Pair wise multiple comparisons tests were used to analyze H01, Pearson Product Moment Correlation used to analyze H02 (promoter types contribution is insignificantly different to poverty alleviation) and regression coefficient was used to analyze H03 (job creation have no significant effect on poverty alleviation). The result indicated difference between the promoters and job creation shows significant differences in job creation among the three groups promoters (F2, 157) = 5.149, p < 0.05). The contributions between promoters of specific ESAPs and poverty alleviation shows there was significant differences in the contributions among the 3 promoter groups (F2, 157) = 8.365, p < 0.05). The result of relationship between job creation through ESAPs and poverty alleviation shows that job creation has significant influence on poverty alleviation with (β = 0.34, t = 4.545, p < 0.0005). The study concluded that the efforts of the promoters of specific Entrepreneurial skills Acquisition Programmes (investment, vocational and agriculture) have positive impacts on job creation in Ondo State, Nigeria. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that the contribution of Non-Governmental Organizations is more prominent in job creation therefore, the policy makers, Federal and State Governments should encourage more presence of genuine NGOS to contribute their mandate to job creation. The Federal and State Governments should ensure that adequate budgetary provisions are made to promote ESAPs to create more jobs and alleviate poverty.