The impact of entrepreneurship education on the entrepreneurial intentions of students: An exploration of Nigerian universities

Entrepreneurship education (EE) has become a key component of higher education,particularly for fostering entrepreneurial intentions among students. Research shows thateffective EE not only imparts theoretical knowledge but also develops critical skills such ascreativity, innovation, and risk management, essential for business success (Nabi et al., 2017;Kuratko & Morris, 2018). Despite the growth in entrepreneurship education programmes(EEPs), there is limited understanding of their impact, particularly in developing countries likeNigeria. This study investigates how EE shapes students' entrepreneurial intentions in Nigerianuniversities, focusing on teaching methods, university support, and their effects on students'skills and intentions.Using an explanatory sequential design, the study employed in-depth interviews with 9 EElecturers and a cross-sectional survey of 306 students. The qualitative phase revealedchallenges like outdated curriculum, large class sizes, insufficient institutional support, andlimited practical learning, all of which hinder the development of entrepreneurial mindsets.Quantitative findings showed that university support and experiential teaching methodssignificantly influence students' entrepreneurial intentions by improving attitudes andperceived behavioural control. However, societal norms and family pressures also serve asbarriers.The study proposes a framework for assessing the effectiveness of EEPs, which includesprogramme design, institutional support, stakeholder engagement, and impact evaluation. Thefindings highlight the need for context-specific curriculum updates, enhanced supportstructures, and policy alignment to address Nigeria’s unique socio-economic challenges.Theoretically, this research adds to the body of knowledge regarding Theory of plannedbehaviour by emphasizing the need for context-specific adaptations of EE in developingcountries. It also challenges existing EE models, typically based on Western frameworks, andprovides valuable insights for Nigerian policymakers aiming to improve EE and fostereconomic growth.