DEPARTMENT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The study evaluated how planning and control affect small business survival in Benin
City, Edo State. 4 research questions and other researchers' material were reviewed. The
researcher created a questionnaire based on the research topic and had it validated by the supervisor. The questionnaire was designed according to the research topics and given to 100 Benin City small-scale business operators. Frequency count and percentage
descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. According to the report, planning and
control are crucial to small business management and sustainability. Thus, planning and
control affect small business management and survival. Poor planning and control
drastically impact small business performance. The success of a corporation depends on
the level of planning and control implemented. Small business financial management is
affected by poor planning and control. Business financial management depends on
whether planning and control are appropriate or inadequate. The government was advised to hold symposia and updated training on effective planning and control to improve Nigerian small business owners' management skills. Business owners should also be schooled in planning and control tactics to compete internationally

This research explores around innovation and creativity which are the essential drivers of economic growth, competitiveness and sustainability in Nigeria. This study highlights the systemic issues such as limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient skilled manpower and poor management practices ,which causes lack of innovation and creativity in smes business in Nigeria.T his research was carried out with the distribution of 100 questionnaires using 5 research questions and 4 objectives. Finding suggestions that will improve innovation and creativity in smes business and how it has affect businesses positively. The research underscores the need to create new ideas, putting the innovative ideas into the market that supports smes business in Nigeria.

Small and medium scale enterprise is meant to stimulate economicgrowth through its contribution to Gross Domestic Product, poverty reduction and employment creation. The study explained the impact of SME's in Nigeria on Gross Domestic Product. Secondary data were obtained from national Bureau of Statistics on Gross Domestic Product, commercial bank loans to SME's and unemployment rate for eight years 2010-2017. These data were analyzed and presented using ordinary least square method. The study revealed that SME's funding has insignificant relationship or marginal impact on Gross Domestic Product and it was recommended that SME's contribution to Gross Domestic Product can be improved by increase in SME's access to finance through removal of encumbrances that impede access, this should be policies directive that expand and encourage SME's development.

This study tries to do research on entrepreneurial marketing and It influence in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Edo State. Over the years, they are a move from traditional marketing to entrepreneurial marketing and social media marketing due to competition of Nigeria business especially SMEs with limited advantage and need to strive in the industry Nigeria. Therefore, the study investigates the influence of entrepreneurial marketing in SMEs development in Edo state. SMEs drive the economy of our locality. The research examines how core entrepreneurial marketing dimensions such customer focus, risk-taking, innovation, and pro-activeness, resource leveraging affect growth, competitiveness, and sustainability of businesses in the region.
Using a descriptive research design, data were collected through a structured questionnaires administered to 105 SME operators across Benin City (Edo state). Findings reveal that most SMEs in Edo State adopt informal and cost-effective marketing strategies due to resource constraints, but those with stronger entrepreneurial marketing practices demonstrate higher customer retention, revenue growth, and adaptability in competitive markets.

This study investigates feasibility study as a tool for entrepreneurial success in nigeria. The specific objectives include investigating ways in which feasibility study impact business operations in Nigeria, to determine expenses associated with conducting
feasibility studies, to illustrate how feasibility study provide insight into business environment, examine how capital requirement of a business relate to finding of a feasibility studies and to determine the challenge that hinder entrepreneurs from utilizing feasibility studies. Four research questions guide this study about feasibility study in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) located in Benin City. The sample size comprises 75 respondents, and data were collected through a 75 questionnaire survey of enterprises in Ugbowo, Benin City. The study was analysed using simple percentages, frequency table. This study highlighted the crucial role of entrepreneurship development in job creation in Nigeria. It demonstrated how entrepreneurship initiatives significantly contribute to employment generation, showcasing the positive impact of entrepreneurial activities on the economy. The research identified the challenges entrepreneurs face in securing funding, infrastructure, market access, and regulatory support, and provided insights on how addressing these challenges can further enhance job creation. Additionally, the study underscored the importance of entrepreneurial education programs and mentorship schemes in shaping the entrepreneurial mindset, improving skill sets, and promoting business success among both aspiring and established entrepreneurs in Nigeria

This study assesses the impact of small scale businesses on job creation using Ugbowo area in Benin City, Edo State as a case study. Four research questions were raised to guide the study. The population comprised of 11, 879 registered SMEs, from which a sample of 99 was determined using the Taro Yamme formula. Respondents were selected using the convenient sampling technique. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive (frequency count, simple percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Wilcoxon signed ranked test) and hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The reliability of the instrument was determined using the Cronbach alpha statistics and it yielded a coefficient of 0.85. Results showed that skill development significantly influenced job creation capacity of SMEs (p =.00) and small scale businesses significantly contributed to job creation (p = .02). Challenges faced by SMEs include limited access to skills development and training programs, complex regulatory environment, inadequate infrastructure and access to adequate financing. The study concluded that small-scale businesses significantly contribute to job creation and employment in Benin City, Edo State, however small businesses are faced with challenges in fulfilment of this objective. It recommended that policy-makers should as a matter of necessity address the issue of complex regulatory environment, endevour to prioritize the issue of infrastructural deficits which has plagued the nation for so long, small business owners should avail themselves of opportunities to improve and develop their knowledge and capacity in other to enhance their competitiveness.

This study examines the impact of mentorship programs on the success of small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Benin City, To ensure a comprehensive analysis, the study surveyed Osa-RT ventures and Edo choice transport limited, located in Benin city. The researcher adopted questionnaire in collecting relevant i formation for the study, the analysis is based on responses from 49 participants out of the 50 questionnaires distributed, resulting in a 98% response rate. The study highlight key factors that contribute to effective mentorship and the challenges SMEs face in accessing these programs. The research employs a quantitative approach, analyzing data through Pearson correlation coefficients. Findings indicate a strong positive correlation between access to mentorship and SME success (r = 0.471, p < 0.01), demonstrating that mentorship significantly enhances business performance. Additionally, successful mentorship relationships are influenced by factors such as goal alignment, regular communication, and mentor expertise (r = 0.297, p < 0.05). However, SMEs face challenges in accessing mentorship due to lack of awareness, difficulty in finding suitable mentors, and financial constraints (r = 0.505, p < 0.01). The study further establishes that improving mentorship access correlates with better SME performance (r = 0.645, p < 0.01). Based on these findings, recommendations include It is important to improve awareness of mentorship programs through targeted outreach and marketing, Mentorship programs should be designed to ensure clear goal alignment and facilitate regular communication between mentors and mentees and Mentorship programs should be customized to meet the specific needs and constraints of SMEs.

The study focus on social media marketing and its impact on small and medium enterprises in Nigeria. This study highlights the transformative impact of social media marketing on SMEs in Nigeria. Online strategies significantly improve profitability, customer engagement, cost efficiency, and innovation, positioning businesses for longterm success. However, challenges such as financial constraints, lack of technical know-how, and infrastructural limitations remain key barriers to widespread adoption. The objectives are to determine how search engine Marketing +influences the impact of
social media on SMEs., to determine how email marketing influences the impact of social media on SMEs., to determine how blog marketing influences the impact of social media on SMEs. And to determine how online advertising influences the impact of social mediaon SMEs. The findings of this study highlight the transformative impact of social media marketing on SMEs in Nigeria. Online strategies significantly improve profitability, customer engagement, cost efficiency, and innovation, positioning businesses for longterm success. However, challenges such as financial constraints, lack of technical know-how, and infrastructural limitations remain key barriers to widespread adoption.

This study examined the impact of entrepreneurial education on the profitability of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Edo State, Nigeria. The study in vestigated the effect of formal education, skill acquisition, and reading of business books on SME gross profit. A survey research design was adopted, and primary data were collected through structured questionnaire administered to SME owners and managers in Egor, Oredo, and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas of Edo State. Out of the questionnaire distributed, 121 valid responses were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression techniques were employed using SPSS to examine the relationships among the variables. The findings revealed that formal education, skill acquisition, and reading of business books all have positive and significant effects on SME profitability, with skill acquisition demonstrating the strongest influence on gross profit. The study
concludes that entrepreneurial education plays a critical role in improving the sustainability and financial outcomes of SMEs. It recommends greater emphasis on practical, skill-oriented training programs and continuous entrepreneurial learning
initiatives to strengthen SME profitability and contribute to sustainable economic development in Nigeria

This study examines the role of government policies in the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, focusing on access to finance, regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed and successfully collected. Data analysis was conducted using tables, percentages, and chi-square analysis via SPSS software to test the research hypotheses. The findings reveal a significant relationship between government policies and access to finance for SMEs in Nigeria. Additionally, government regulatory policies have a significant effect on the business environment, and government infrastructural policies positively impact the operational performance of SMEs. The study highlights the crucial role of effective government interventions in fostering SME growth. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the government implement policies that enhance financial access, simplify regulatory processes, and invest in infrastructure to create a more enabling environment for SMEs in Nigeria.