Innovation Management and Skills Acquisition for Job Creation Among University Students in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The introduction of entrepreneurial study programme for students in the Universities for self-reliance is a commendable initiative by university administration. The focus of this paper is therefore to examine how to ensure that these innovations in Universityprogrammes enhance job creation among students in Cross River State, Nigeria. To carry out the investigation, two research questions were posed and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The innovation programmes adopted in the study are entrepreneurship skills and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The population of the study comprised all students in the Faculty of Education in University of Calabar and University of Cross River State, Calabar. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were deployed to sample 500 students for the study. The instrument for data collection was designed by the researchers, and tagged: “Innovative Management and Skills Acquisition for Job Creation Questionnaire (IMSAJCQ)”. Data collected were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analysis statistical technique. The result of the study revealed that innovation management in terms of entrepreneurship skills and information and communication technology skills acquisition has significant correlation with job creation among university students. It was therefore recommended amongst others that students should be made to compulsorily offer practical entrepreneurship education as a short course that runs from 6-9 months to become better equipped with the pre-requisite skills that would guide them on the path of setting up business venture for themselves before or after graduation.