EFFECT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP GRANTS ON BUSINESS STARTUP AMONG YOUTH IN FCT-ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the effect of entrepreneurship grants on business startup among youth in FCT Abuja, Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design. The population of the study comprised of all youth in Gwagalada and Kuje Area council FCT-Abuja who have being in business for at least 2 years. Therefore, the population of this study was defined as unknown. Three hundred and sixty-eight (368) was determined using Cochran's (1977) sample size formula and purposive sampling technique was used to select the respondents for this study. The study utilized adapted questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The data collected for the study was analyzed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling in determining the measurement, structural models and hypotheses testing through SmartPLS 3.0 software. The study found that Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Grant has positive and insignificant effect on Business start Up among Youth in FCT-Abuja, Nigeria. while National Youth Entrepreneurship Grant has positive and significant effect on Business start Up among Youth in FCT-Abuja, Nigeria. Based on the findings, it is concluded that Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Grant positively but insignificantly influence Business Start Up among Youth in FCT-Abuja, Nigeria Whiles National Youth Entrepreneurship Grant positively and significantly influences Business Start-Up among Youth in FCT-Abuja, Nigeria. The study thus recommended among others that those in charge in disbursement of Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Grant in Nigeria specifically, FCT-Abuja should improve on the disbursement of the said Grant by targeting youths, increase the number of the beneficiaries reasonable and regularly organize programmes that will create more awareness on grant and how to access it.