S. E. Diamond

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