THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN NIGERIA

Studies revealed that the problem of poverty is highly common in most African countries. I his ugly trend calls for interventions by various international agencies and government of such countries to embark on strategies to reduce the scourge of poverty and promote productive enterprises. Poverty is a global phenomenon which could be combated through the use of target economic and entrepreneurial projects. High degrees of poverty combined with slow economic growth in the formal sector has forced many parts of developing countries’ population into self-employment, while entrepreneurship development has played a significant role in economic growth, innovation, competiveness and poverty alleviation. This paper reviews entrepreneurship development as a strategy for poverty alleviation in Nigeria. Using survey method and secondary data, the study finds that the persistent economic hardship aggravated by unemployment in Nigeria leading to high attendance of poverty could be reduced to the barest minimum if entrepreneurship development could be given adequate attention by the government and well to do individuals in the society. The study recommended that for poverty to be reduced in Nigeria, education should be given adequate attention by the government. Also vocational training should be given high attention as it will go a long way to reducing poverty.