An assessment of entrepreneurial skills of undergraduates of library and information science students of Northwest University, Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Entrepreneurship education has become a critical strategy for addressing graduate unemployment and enhancing employability among university students. This study examined the level of entrepreneurship skills possessed by library and information science (LIS) students, the impact of these skills on employability, and the challenges encountered in acquiring entrepreneurial competencies. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 255 LIS students, and the responses were analyzed using frequency and percentages. Findings revealed that a majority of the respondents had been exposed to entrepreneurship education, with 87.45% having taken entrepreneurship-related courses and 68.63% participating in entrepreneurship training or workshops. The results further indicated that students possessed a relatively high level of entrepreneurship skills, including creativity, innovation, opportunity identification, business plan preparation, digital entrepreneurship skills, and confidence in starting small-scale businesses after graduation. Additionally, the study showed that entrepreneurship education had a significant positive impact on employability, as most respondents agreed that it enhances self-reliance, leadership skills, problem-solving ability, job creation potential, and reduces graduate unemployment. Despite these positive outcomes, the study identified, inadequate training facilities, limited instructional time, financial constraints, mentorship opportunities as challenges to effective entrepreneurship skills acquisition. The research concluded that while entrepreneurship education positively influences employability and self-reliance among LIS students, its effectiveness is constrained by structural and institutional challenges. It therefore recommended that university management and relevant academic authorities should strengthen the practical components of entrepreneurship courses by incorporating hands-on training, that would increase the skill of undergraduate students, project-based learning, and real-life business simulations tailored to Library and Information Science. Adequate training facilities and instructional materials should be provided to support effective entrepreneurship education. This includes access to digital tools, innovation hubs, and entrepreneurship laboratories that would give more impact to students. Curriculum planners should allocate sufficient time within the academic programme for entrepreneurship training to ensure that students can balance academic responsibilities with skill acquisition which will help in minimizing some of the challenged .