NEXUS BETWEEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP GRANTS ON BUSINESS STARTUP AND ACTIVITIES OF YOUTHS IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

This SME-led economic model is based on the recognition, by economic managers, of the potential of the sector as a panacea to a slew of macroeconomic issues, including unemployment and the numerous socio-economic problems that come with it. Poverty, lack of jobs and low earning capacity among the youth, for example, have often been fingered as part of the reasons for insecurity in the North region of Nigeria. Hence, this study provide an examination of the effect of entrepreneurship grant (proxy by Bank of industry entrepreneurship grant) on business startup among youth in North Central, Nigeria. The study adopts survey research design. The population of this study comprised of youth who benefited from BOI entrepreneurship grants in North Central States, Nigeria. The study used Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in determining both the measurement and structural models through SmartPLS 3.0 software. The result of the study revealed that bank of industry entrepreneurship grant has positive and statistically significant effect on business startup among youth in North central Nigeria. This suggest that entrepreneurship grant given by bank of industry has spread to reasonable number of youths in North central Nigeria and has enhance their business startup. Bank of industry should maintain the offer of the entrepreneurship rant to youths in the North central Nigeria. By way of continuing expanding and promoting access to this grant program. This can be achieved through increase creation of awareness of the Bank of Industry Entrepreneurship Grant among youth in North Central Nigeria through targeted marketing campaigns, workshops, and information sessions