The Impact of Business Education on Youths' Empowerment, Economic Growth and National Development in Colleges of Education in Anambra State

Abstract

This study examined the impact of business education on youths' empowerment, economic growth, and national development in Colleges of Education in Anambra State. Specifically, the study assessed the extent to which business education influences youths' empowerment, its impact on economic growth and national development, its role in entrepreneurial skills acquisition, and the challenges and opportunities it presents in the selected colleges. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprised 4,977 regular final-year Business Education students and their academic staff drawn from Federal College of
Education (Technical), Umunze, and Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe. A sample of 150 respondents was drawn using simple random sampling. A structured questionnaire, validated by two experts and tested for reliability using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation, was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using mean scores with a cut-off point of 2.50. Findings revealed that business education significantly enhances youths' self-efficacy, confidence, and leadership skills; positively impacts entrepreneurial activity, job creation, and economic growth; equips youths with essential entrepreneurial skills including innovation, risk-taking, and financial management; and that colleges face challenges such as inadequate resources, limited qualified faculty, and outdated curricula. The study concluded that business education is pivotal for fostering youth empowerment and driving sustainable national development, and recommended curriculum updates, industry partnerships, government-supported entrepreneurship programmes, and adequate funding.