PROMOTING ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION THROUGH BUSINESS EDUCATION FOR ACHIEVEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL EIGHT IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the contribution of business education to the promotion of economic diversification for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) eight in Rivers State. Two research questions were raised and two null hypotheses formulated to guide the study. The
descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study with a population of 1,148 consisting of 48 business education lecturers and 1, 100 year three business education students. The sample size of 371 respondents (48 lecturers and 344 students) drawn from the entire population using the simple random sampling technique. Data collecting instrument was the researchers’ developed questionnaire that was face-validated by three experts. Data collected from the respondents were
analysed using the mean to answer the research questions and the t-test statistic to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that through the provision of skills for job creation and application of ICTs to business transactions, business education has helped in the promotion of economic diversifications. The study further revealed that through the provision of various economic opportunities, business education can help in the achievement of SD Goal eight in
Rivers State. Significant difference was not found between the mean ratings of both business education lecturers and the students in all the null hypotheses. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that business education curriculum should be redesigned to address more practical skills in all courses in the curriculum that skills are required.

Key words: Economic diversification, business education, sustainable development goal eight