ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS DRIVERS OF GROWTH, WEALTH CREATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is a veritable tool for the achievement of inclusive growth and consequently sustainable development. There are many opportunities entrepreneurs can harness in Nigeria given the demographic dividends. In fact, the youths constitute about 60 percent of the Nigerian population. Opportunities include but not limited to agriculture, creation of place utility for manufactured products (toiletries, beverages among others), repairs and servicing of mobile phones, computers, generators, cars etc. However, because of the deplorable state of wellbeing in the country, a sizeable number of youths are now being employed as touts and thugs by politicians to cause chaos at rallies. The rising wave of crimes in the form of electoral malpractices, commercial violence or economic terrorism and motor park rent seeking among others are common cases to ponder. The huge infrastructure deficits (road, power, water etc.), inadequate access to credit and disastrous policy regime constrain entrepreneurial development in Nigeria. The study therefore recommends public-private partnership in wealth creation towards achieving enhanced and sustainable economic wellbeing. There is the need to fight corruption heads on by taking the fight to the grassroots. Government should put entrepreneurs at the centre of trade and commerce policy formulation and implementation. [web URL: http://media.wix.com/ugd/681c92_0c30eab4d3be438792d4eede22ff f01e.pdf]