Reducing Unemployment in Nigeria: An Evaluation of the Entrepreneurship Programme in Ondo State

The study evaluated the entrepreneurship programme in Ondo State. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study and was conducted in Ondo State.Three research questions guided the study.The target population of the study comprised individuals within three local governments: Akoko North East, Akure North and Okitipupa, in Ondo State, Nigeria. Stratified sampling technique was used within the three local governments which differ by their languages. Thereafter, while using a purposive sampling technique, a total number of five hundred (500) respondentswere engaged in the study. Respondents were chosen from Akoko North-East, Akure North and Okitipupa. The number of respondents in each of the sampled local government include: Akoko North East (200) respondents, Akure North (150) respondents; and Okitipupa (150) respondents. In total, 264 men and 209 women were engaged.The researchers' developed instruments titled ‘‘Evaluation of Entrepreneurship Programme Questionnaire’’ (EEPQ) was used for data collection. The face validation of the instrument was established by three experts, two in the Department of Guidance and Counselling (Assessment and Testing Unit), University of Ibadan and one in the Department of Educational Management and Policy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Test retest was used to determine the reliability of the instrument and the overall scale was conducted for the interval of three weeks. The reliability coefficient of 0.78 was obtained. The researchers with the help of the community heads in each of the town collected data for the study. Out of the five hundred questionnaires administered, four hundred and seventy three (473) were returned in good state and were therefore subjected to analysis. Data collected on the study were analyzed using frequency count, percentage, and mean. The findings of the study revealed among others that respondents were aware of the government and non-governmental entrepreneurship programs for poverty reduction. The study concluded among others that Ondo State people do not possess adequate entrepreneurial skills for reducing unemployment. Recommendations were made