The Role of Vocational and Technical Education in Promoting Small Business Startups in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Udeme Anthony Abaikpa, Imo Bassey Enang, Idara Imo Essien and Eno-Obong Emmanuel Udom
Additional contact information
Udeme Anthony Abaikpa: Department of Business Education, Federal College of Education Ididep Ibiono Ibom Akwa Ibom State
Imo Bassey Enang: Department of Business Education, Federal College of Education Ididep Ibiono Ibom Akwa Ibom State
Idara Imo Essien: Department of Business Education, Federal College of Education Ididep Ibiono Ibom Akwa Ibom State
Eno-Obong Emmanuel Udom: Department of Business Education, Federal College of Education Ididep Ibiono Ibom Akwa Ibom State

African Journal of Commercial Studies, 2026, vol. 7, issue 3

Abstract: Why do many small business startups fail despite entrepreneurs having technical skills? This study examined the role of vocational and technical education (VTE) in promoting small business startups in Akwa Ibom State. Specifically, it assessed the relationship between (1) outdated/misaligned curriculum and startups, (2) limited access to finance and startups, and (3) poor infrastructural support and startups. A mixed-methods approach was adopted. The population comprised 11,990 small business startups, from which a sample of 387 was drawn using Taro Yamane’s formula and purposive sampling. Three hypotheses were tested. Data were collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using simple percentages and regression models. The results revealed that all three factors—outdated curriculum, limited financing, and poor infrastructure—have a significant negative impact on the performance, establishment, growth, development, and sustainability of small business startups in Akwa Ibom State. These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive interventions across education, finance, and infrastructure to foster entrepreneurial success. Based on these findings, the study recommends the following: first, educational institutions and policymakers should update and align VTE curricula with current startup needs to equip entrepreneurs with relevant skills. Second, financial institutions and government agencies should design accessible, flexible financing options, including collateral-free loans or credit guarantees, to support startup growth. Third, government and private stakeholders must prioritize improving infrastructural facilities—transportation, power supply, and communication networks—to create a favorable environment for small business development and sustainability. Without these integrated reforms, even the most skilled entrepreneur cannot thrive. This study provides a clear roadmap for unlocking the entrepreneurial potential of vocational education in Akwa Ibom State.

Keywords: Vocational and Technical Education; Small Business Startups; Entrepreneurial Success; Entrepreneurial Potential; Nigeria (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I25 L26 M13 O15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://ijcsacademia.com/index.php/journal/article/view/378

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cwk:ajocsl:2026-005

DOI: 10.59413/ajocs/v7.i3.34

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in African Journal of Commercial Studies from African Journal of Commercial Studies
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Dr. Charles G. Kamau ().