PROMOTING PROFESSIONAL ETHICS FOR ENHANCING GREEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This study examined professional ethics as a strategy for enhancing green entrepreneurship education in public universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Specifically, it investigated the extent to which ethics is integrated into green entrepreneurship education to enhance students’ ethical consciousness, sustainability mindset, environmentally responsible ventures, and green entrepreneurial intentions. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, targeting 462 respondents comprising 48 lecturers and 414 students from the three public universities in Rivers State. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and independent samples t-test to test differences between lecturers’ and students’ perceptions. Findings revealed that professional ethics is moderately to highly integrate into green entrepreneurship education, contributing positively to students’ ethical consciousness, sustainability mindset, environmentally responsible ventures, and green entrepreneurial intentions. However, lecturers consistently rated integration higher than students, highlighting a perceptual gap in practical application. The study concluded that while ethics is embedded in green entrepreneurship education, there is a need for enhanced practical reinforcement, ethical assessment, and sustainability-focused teaching. Recommendations include strengthening hands-on ethical instruction, bridging perception gaps, and institutionalizing ethics integration within entrepreneurship programs.