Mentoring programmes have been recognised as effective tools for supporting youth entrepreneurship, particularly among female university graduates in developing economies. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving a structured questionnaire for collecting quantitative data from 150 respondents and semi-structured interviews with 20 participants to explore their experiences and perceptions of the mentoring programmes. The findings indicate that over 70% of participants reported increased confidence in starting their own businesses as a result of participating in the mentoring programme, highlighting its significant role in fostering youth entrepreneurship among female graduates. While the mentoring programmes showed promising results in boosting entrepreneurial confidence and aspirations, there is a need for further tailored interventions to enhance practical skills and market access. Further research should focus on developing more comprehensive support packages that include financial literacy training and networking opportunities, alongside ongoing mentorship.
Femi Ogunmola (2007) studied this question.