Entrepreneurship education as human capital: Implications for youth self-employment and conflict mitigation in sub-Saharan Africa

Anosike, Paschal

Abstract

Previous research has focused on stable developed economies to predict that human capital and exposure to entrepreneurship education at a higher education (HE) level will positively affect entrepreneurial success. This paper draws from the outcome of recent entrepreneurship education projects in two higher education institutions in a conflict northern Nigeria as a proxy for the introduction of entrepreneurship as a compulsory component of the secondary school curriculum in sub-Saharan Africa. Using semi-structured interview data, it was found that the provision of entrepreneurship education at a pre-HE level could help to accelerate human capital development and curb youth unemployment in Africa. Specifically, it postulates that entrepreneurship education comprises both general and specific human capital that increases an individual’s ability to spot and exploit opportunities and that entrepreneurship study in secondary schools could help to catalyse national efforts aimed at widening access to job and economic opportunities for Africa’s young and growing population, and consequently reduce their vulnerability to poverty and involvement in armed conflict. Future research and policy considerations are suggested.

Citation

Anosike, P. (2017, November). Entrepreneurship education as human capital: Implications for youth self-employment and conflict mitigation in sub-Saharan Africa. Paper presented at ISBE 2017, Belfast, Ireland

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: ISBE 2017
• Conference Location: Belfast, Ireland
• Start Date: Nov 8, 2017
• End Date: Nov 9, 2017
• Deposit Date: Apr 16, 2023
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10629672
• Publisher URL: https://isbe.org.uk/isbe2017/bpa/
• Additional Information: Shortlisted for ISBE 2017 BEST PAPER AWARDS