Skill Acquisition Programs and Youth Empowerment at the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos
CHAPTER ONE
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The study has both general objective and specific objectives. The general objective or main objective of this study is to examine the effect of skill acquisition on youth empowerment in Alausa, Lagos state, Nigeria. The specific objectives are:
- To understand the impact of skill acquisition on youth empowerment in Alausa, Lagos state
- To identify the reasons for the introduction of skill acquisition programme in Alausa, Lagos state
- To examine the challenges facing skill acquisition and youth empowerment in Alausa, Lagos state.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Literature Review
Skill Acquisition and Its Role in Youth Empowerment
Skill acquisition refers to the process of learning and mastering practical or vocational competencies that enable individuals to become employable or self-reliant. It encompasses both formal and informal methods of learning that focus on hands-on experiences in various fields such as tailoring, ICT, carpentry, welding, catering, and automobile repairs. This process is particularly relevant in developing economies like Nigeria, where unemployment rates among youth remain alarmingly high (Ekpe, 2017).
According to Adendorff et al. (2023), skill acquisition is a vital instrument for empowering youth, as it provides them with the capabilities needed to contribute meaningfully to economic growth. They emphasized that entrepreneurial development through skill-based education can serve as a sustainable solution to youth unemployment and underemployment. Acquiring skills not only improves individual livelihoods but also drives innovation and self-employment in local communities.
The importance of skill acquisition in youth development cannot be overstated. It serves as a pathway to self-empowerment and financial independence for young people who may lack access to formal employment opportunities. In Lagos State, the Ministry of Youth and Social Development has implemented several skill acquisition programs to address the high rate of youth unemployment, targeting technical and entrepreneurial capabilities (Etonyeaku et al., 2024). These initiatives aim to bridge the gap between education and practical employment skills, creating a more competent and job-ready youth population.
Despite its benefits, the concept of skill acquisition faces significant challenges. Critics argue that there is often a disconnect between the skills taught and the actual demands of the labor market, resulting in underutilized or redundant competencies. For example, Reichl et al. (2021) noted that institutional preparation is sometimes misaligned with entrepreneurial realities, thereby limiting the effectiveness of such programs. Without periodic review and collaboration with industries, many skill acquisition efforts may fail to achieve their full potential.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
Research Design
This study adopted the Descriptive Survey Research Design. It was deemed appropriate for this study because, according to Osuala (2005) it is a design which studies a population through a sample in order to determine the status of a given phenomenon. The study made use of questionnaire which was distributed to a sampled population, the descriptive Survey design study was seen as meeting the necessary requirement for the study.
Population of the Study
The population of the study comprised of Lagos state University students, it was mainly the students from the faculty of business administration.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPONDENTS
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
The study examined the effect of skills acquisition in youth empowerment in Lagos state university. Chapter one discussed the background to the study and statement of the problem. The study had five objectives, five research questions and five research hypotheses. The significance of the study, delimitation of the study and basic assumptions were also treated in the chapter. In chapter two, related literature to the study were reviewed. The theoretical framework adopted for the study was the management theory of entrepreneurship. The chapter discussed the concept of Skills acquisition, concept entrepreneurship, goals and objectives of Skills acquisition, overview of Skills acquisition programme in Nigeria, Skills acquisition and sustainable development in Nigeria, characteristics entrepreneurship, role entrepreneurship in economic development, problems confronting entrepreneurship Nigeria. The chapter also reviewed seven empirical studies. Chapter three presented the methodology adopted in carrying out the study. It dwelt on research design used in carrying out the study. The population of the study was 1,014, a sample size of 6o% was adopted and 609 people were selected using random sampling technique. The chapter also described the instrument for data collection and also explained how it was validated. The pilot study, reliability of the instrument, procedure for data collection and procedure for data analysis were also highlighted in the chapter. The data collected were presented and analysed in chapter four. The major findings of the study were:
- Effective use of book-keeping/accounting skills influenced the success entrepreneurship.
- Marketing skills influenced the success entrepreneurship.
- Office technology and management skills influenced the survival entrepreneurship.
- Effective leadership skills influenced the success entrepreneurship.
- Business management skills influenced the survival entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
The study established that Skills acquisition skills promote SMEs. This is because it established that book keeping/accounting, marketing, office technology and management, effective leadership and business management skills influenced and enhanced the success and survival entrepreneurship. The implications of these findings are that for SMEs to get rid of some of their problems; there is the need for the application of the aforementioned skills acquisition skills. In the same vein, continuous existence entrepreneurship also hinges on the extent to which these skills are made use of by the Entrepreneurs and their employees. Furthermore, the application of these skills acquisition skills can make SMEs to grow big and bigger. Finally, effective use of the skills would make SMEs to continue to be the engine room for economic growth and development; otherwise they would be reduced to nonentity.
Recommendations
Based on the major findings and the conclusion drawn, the following recommendations are suggested as the way forward:
- The SMEs owners as well as their employees should strive toward the acquisition and effective application of book-keeping/accounting, office technology and management, marketing, leadership and business management skills. This is because these skills are instrumental to organisational success. However, since it may not be possible for a single person to master all these skills, Entrepreneurs should strive towards engaging specialists in the different areas, or at least seek for professional advice from specialists for the betterment of their businesses.
- The government at all levels (Federal, State and Local) through the relevant ministries such as the Federal Ministry of trade and commerce, States’ ministries of commerce and industry and agencies such as The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), should organize training or workshops for the Entrepreneurs so as to equip them with the skills acquisition skills that would enhance the success and survival of their businesses.
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and development partners should also help in training the Entrepreneurs and their employees. This is because the training/workshops are expected to widen their horizon on the necessities of such skills and as such lead to business success and survival.
- The score card of the entrepreneurship terms of how they apply the skills acquisition skills should be a pre-requisite for their ability to secure financial assistance from the government, NGOs, development partners and financial institutions.
Through this, the skills would be effectively and efficiently used.
REFERENCES
- Adamu, A. (2009). Small and Medium-Scale enterprises (SMES) in Nigeria:
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- Adegbenjo, A.O. (2004). Alleviating unemployment through sustainable business education. Skills acquisition journal, 1(1), 34-40.
- Adeniji, A.A (2002). Professionalization of skills acquisition. Skills acquisition journal, 3(5), 72-77.
- Adeyeye, M.M. (2008). Entrepreneurship, small and medium-scale enterprises. Ibadan: Evi Coleman publications.
- Akinyele, T.A (2007). Skills acquisition as a pre-requisite for successful small business: A case study of Odeda L.G.A of Ogun State. Zaria Journal of educational studies (ZAJES), 9 (1), 22 – 28.
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