Entrepreneurial Activities and Economic Survival: A Study of Undergraduate Students of Fountain University, Osogbo, Nigeria

Abstract

The research investigated the impact of entrepreneurial activities on academic performances of students of Fountain University, Osogbo. It made use of David McClelland’s Need for Achievement theory. The exploratory study gathered qualitative data from purposively selected students and lecturers. Four (4) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) sessions were held with male and female students, ten (10) Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with lecturers and five (5) In Depth interviews (IDIs) with selected student entrepreneurs identified by referrals, academic records were examined. Data collected was transcribed and analysed using content analysis. Findings revealed that passion for entrepreneurship; need to augment, allowances and fear of unemployment after graduation were the major motivating factors of being involved in business. It also revealed that female students were more entrepreneurial than their male counterparts were. Stringent security and movement measures put in place by the university constituted a great impediment to operation of business on campus. Since students are not officially allowed to own shops on campus, they secretly keep their wares. Data ascertained that entrepreneurial activities do not have dire consequences on student academic performance of most of the entrepreneurs. This study also indicated the significance of entrepreneurship at solving the problem of graduate unemployment in Nigeria.