CHALLENGES CONFRONTING EDUCATION FOR SELF-RELIANCE AMONG TERTIARY EDUCATION STUDENTS IN OYO STATE

Abstract

Education for self-reliance constitutes a critical component of Nigeria’s educational policy framework, aimed at equipping graduates with practical skills, entrepreneurial competencies, and adaptive capacities essential for sustainable livelihoods and economic development. This study investigates the extent to which tertiary institutions in Oyo State integrate self-reliance education into their academic curricula and explores students’ participation in entrepreneurship and skill acquisition programs. Additionally, it examines the relationships between exposure to self-reliance education and entrepreneurial intentions, and identifies the key challenges hindering effective implementation. Employing a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 300 undergraduate students across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education via structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to analyze the data. Findings indicate that while entrepreneurship courses are commonly embedded in curricula, practical skill training and innovative assessment methods remain moderately integrated. Student participation in entrepreneurship initiatives is moderate, with internship programs attracting the highest engagement. Significant positive correlations were found between curricular integration and entrepreneurial intentions, as well as between participation in skill acquisition programs and entrepreneurial motivation. However, critical challenges such as inadequate funding, insufficient training facilities, limited qualified instructors, and weak curriculum-industry linkages impede the full realization of education for self-reliance. Respondents advocate for enhanced government funding, curriculum enrichment, and stronger academia-industry partnerships to promote self-reliance more effectively. This study underscores the need for holistic reforms in tertiary education to bridge policy and practice gaps, ultimately fostering graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to economic growth through self-employment and entrepreneurship.