ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN NIGERIA: AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MEDIATING ROLE OF JOB CREATION AND INCOME GENERATION IN ANAMBRA STATE.

Abstract

The study examined entrepreneurial orientation and poverty reduction in Nigeria: an investigation into the mediating role of job creation and income generation in anambra state with reference to Onitsha North Local Government Area Entrepreneurial firms. Specifically, the study the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and poverty reduction in Onitsha North LGA of Anambra State; assess the mediating role of job creation in the link between entrepreneurial orientation and poverty reduction in Onitsha North LGA of Anambra State and evaluate the impact of income generation as a mediating factor in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and poverty reduction in Onitsha North LGA of Anambra State. The theory underpinning this study is the Human Capital Theory originated from the emergence of classical economics in 1776. Descriptive survey research design is adopted for this study. The research area for the study covers Onitsha North Local Government Area Entrepreneurial firms. Data for this study comprise of both primary and secondary sources. The population is 2645 which made up of female and female entrepreneurs in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The sample size is determined to be 515 using Ball and Gall (1973). The researcher makes use of a structured questionnaire on five points Likert scale to collect data. Hypotheses were tested using Multiple Regression. The study found that; there is significant relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and poverty reduction in Onitsha North LGA of Anambra State; Job creation significantly mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and poverty reduction in Onitsha North LGA of Anambra State and that income generation significantly mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and poverty reduction in Onitsha North LGA of Anambra State. The study concluded that significantly contributes to poverty reduction, with job creation and income generation serving as crucial mediators. A well-supported entrepreneurial ecosystem can drive sustainable economic development and social transformation in Nigeria. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that the government should invest more in massive entrepreneurial skill acquisition in order to help the citizens to learn various aptitudes that will enable them to be self-reliant, Entrepreneurs should be encouraged to use their initiative and creativity to create a long-term value and better work flow streams and well-established individuals and Non-Governmental Organisations should help in facilitating entrepreneurial productivity by creating employment through the establishment of new enterprises.