JCARM Journal of Contemporary Academic Research and Methodologies JCARM 3139-7247 Ivory and Finch Publishers 10.5281/zenodo.21859321 JCARM_JUL_26_074 Original Research Article YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP EMPOWERMENT AND SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVENESS IN NIGERIA Raphael (PhD) Obuseh https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8154-7015 Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri Imo State, Nigeria. robuseh@fpno.edu.ng CHARITY CHINEYEM ADISHI ECONOMICS UNIT FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NEKEDE OWERRI, IMO STATE 10 08 2026 1 6

The study examines the factors that shape the entrepreneurial intention and sustainability of youth in Nigeria, particularly access to finance, entrepreneurial education, entrepreneurship skill development and institutional support. Youth entrepreneurship has emerged as an important tool to enhance the economy, innovation and employment, particularly in the developing world, where unemployment is a major issue. The study particularly seeks to examine the effect of access to finance on youth entrepreneurial intention, the effect of entrepreneurial education and skills development on youth entrepreneurial intention and the effect of institutional support on youth entrepreneurial sustainability. The study uses the theories of planned behaviour and sustainable entrepreneurship theory. The survey method applied was the quantitative survey approach of a cross-sectional design. The respondents for the study were young entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 35 years in selected states of Nigeria. A total of 420 samples were sent out,t and 386 were returned, which is a 91.9% response rate. The data were collected by using a structured questionnaire, then analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS computer software. The results indicate that access to finance has a positive relationship with entrepreneurial intention, and entrepreneurial education and skills development had a significant positive effect on entrepreneurial intention, which helps to increase the skills and self-efficacy of youth. Additionally, institutional support was determined to have a significant positive effect on entrepreneurial sustainability as it offers policies and support systems as a whole. The study therefore suggests the need to have an integrated approach of financial inclusion, quality entrepreneurship education and supportive institutional structures for supporting youth entrepreneurship in Nigeria. It suggests that sustainable entrepreneurial outcomes and sustainable economic development can be obtained through improved access to finance, enhanced entrepreneurship training and support, as well as improved support systems for entrepreneurs.

 Youth Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurial Intention Access To Finance Entrepreneurship Education Institutional Support. 18 07 2026 27 07 2026 Copyright © 2026 by the authors This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. References Ademi, L., Ramadani, V., Ibraimi, S., & Idrizi, S. (2025). Factors affecting young people’s intentions to engage in digital entrepreneurship: An analysis employing the theory of planned behaviour. International Journal of Complexity in Leadership and Management, 4(1), 83–105. Alakaleek, W., Harb, A., & Alzyoud, S. (2025). Toward a sustainable entrepreneurship future: Exploring sustainable entrepreneurial attitudes and intention among young women in an emerging economy. Social Enterprise Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1108/SEJ-09-2023-0115 Bank of Industry. (2025, June 14). BOI CEO sees youth-led industrialisation as key to job creation. BusinessDay. https://businessday.ng Chiamogu, A. P., & Chiamogu, U. P. (2025). Public policy and digital entrepreneurship in Nigeria: Evolving strategies for enhancing youth empowerment for inclusive economic growth. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Business and Entrepreneurship (ICSBE 2025). https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-930-8_22 Cohen, B., & Winn, M. I. (2007). Market imperfections, opportunity, and sustainable entrepreneurship. Journal of Business Venturing, 22(1), 29–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2004.12.001 European Economic and Social Committee. (2026, April). How the EESC wants youth entrepreneurship to boost Europe’s competitiveness. https://www.eesc.europa.eu FATE Foundation. (2025). Mapping Nigeria’s youth entrepreneurship ecosystem. Orange Corners Nigeria. https://www.orangecorners.com Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. (2025). Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2024/2025 global report: Entrepreneurship reality check. Global Entrepreneurship Research Association. International Labour Organization. (2024, July 17). The Global Conference of Decent Jobs for Youth strengthens partnerships to promote youth employment in the green and digital economies. https://www.ilo.org International Labour Organization. (2024, October 25). From skills to startups: How SIYB training is empowering Kericho’s youth to beat unemployment. https://www.ilo.org National Information Technology Development Agency. (2025, September 23). NITDA, YEIP partner to drive youth entrepreneurship and innovation. https://nitda.gov.ng United Nations Development Programme. (2025, August 12). Local roots, global goals: How UNDP is supporting youth-led skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship. https://www.undp.org United Nations Industrial Development Organization. (2025, December 19). UNIDO and partners commit to driving youth-led industrial transformation. World Youth Development Forum. https://www.wydf.org.cn Umliba Youth Entrepreneurship Conference. (2025, May 11). New pathways for youth-led green enterprises. Times of Eswatini. World Bank. (2018). World development report 2018: Learning to realize education’s promise. World Bank Group. World Commission on Environment and Development. (1987). Our common future. Oxford University Press. Youth Business International, & Global Entrepreneurship Network. (2024, October 10). Youth entrepreneurship framework.