Title:
ASSESSMENT OF 21ST CENTURY CRITICAL SKILLS ON TECHNOPRENEURIAL PROPENSITY AMONG NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Authors:
Ojo, A. O., Jesuleye, O. A. Dada, A. D., Nigeria

Abstract:

This paper assessed the influence of 21st century critical skills on technopreneurial propensity of the unemployed youths. The study specifically determined the level of awareness of 21st century critical skills among the youth corps in Oyo State, Nigeria. A snow-ball sampling technique was adopted to administer a well-structured questionnaire on four hundred (400) youth corps in Oyo State, Nigeria. Three hundred and thirty-eight (338) copies of the questionnaire were returned, filled and used for the study with a record of 84.5% response rate. A multiple of analytical methods were employed for data analysis. These include descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics include frequency counts and percentages; the inferential statistics were regression, correlation and analysis of variance analyses. The critical skills that some of the respondents acquired are critical thinking and problem solving; creativity and innovation; computer and information skills; verbal and written communication; self-efficacy; collaboration; motivation among others. The youth corps were engaged in technological-based enterprises such as Graphic Design, Software Development, Engineering Fabrication, Food Manufacturing, Leather/Footwear, AutoCAD Design; and 3D-Printing Services among others. This study concludes that the 21st century critical skills are tools to develop entrepreneurial skills; encourage a more favorable culture and attitudes towards innovation; and create new firms by the Nigerian youths. Also the acquisition of 21st century critical skills influenced the technopreneurial propensity of the youth corps in Oyo State. The study recommends that entrepreneurship education be made compulsory at all levels in tertiary institutions of learning to expose the youths to entrepreneurship; create more positive perception and increase the creation of new enterprises by the Nigerian youths after their graduation. Nigerian government and private organizations should also support and encourage the youths to acquire necessary skills needed for their entrepreneurial development.