FAMILY BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL TRAITS AS PREDICTORS OF STUDENTS' ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION

Abstract

Despite sustained legislative emphasis on entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education as a means to reduce youth unemployment, a significant number of university students still show weak entrepreneurial inclinations. This mismatch raises concerns regarding the psychological and social factors that affect students' motivation to engage in entrepreneurial initiatives. This study examined Family Background and Personal Traits (entrepreneurial mindset, entrepreneurial attitude, and self-efficacy) as Predictors of Students' Entrepreneurial Intentions. The study employed a quantitative methodology; a sample of 267 was extracted from a population of 795 students in selected departments of the University of Lagos, Nigeria, using the Taro Yamane method. The measurement utilized a five-point Likert scale questionnaire, and data were analyzed via SPSS, using multiple regression at the 5% significance level. The research findings revealed that entrepreneurial family background (p = 0.598), entrepreneurial mindset (p = 0.265), and entrepreneurial attitude (p = 0.008) did not have a statistically significant effect on entrepreneurial intentions; however, self-efficacy (p = 0.000) did. These findings delineate perceived capacity and achievement motivation as the principal determinants of entrepreneurial intention creation. The research recommends enhancing experiential entrepreneurship education, competency-based training, and mentorship programs to augment students' self-efficacy and stimulate sustainable entrepreneurial intent