Promoting entrepreneurship through a gender-influenced entrepreneurial mindset among tertiary students in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of a gender-influenced entrepreneurial mindset on fostering entrepreneurship among tertiary students in North Central Nigeria. It explored how gender perceptions shape students' entrepreneurial intentions and abilities, while examining the differences in entrepreneurial attitudes between male and female students. A descriptive research design was employed, with two research questions and two hypotheses formulated to be tested at a significance level of 0.05. The sample comprised 500 respondents selected from a total population of Ten Thousand (10,000) tertiary students. Data were collected using a self-developed questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, with simple percentages employed to address the research questions and chi-square statistics used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 significance level. The study's findings indicated no significant difference in the level of entrepreneurial mindset between male and female tertiary students in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the hypothesis that gender does not significantly influence entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions among tertiary students in North Central Nigeria was rejected. The study concluded with a recommendation that tertiary institutions should implement programs that specifically address gender biases and promote female entrepreneurship through workshops, mentorship, and role modeling.