MENTORING IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP: IMPERATIVE FOR NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This paper assessed the imperatives of mentoring in entrepreneurship in promoting economic development in Nigeria. Nigeria’s educational practices were tailored towards the acquisition of white collar jobs. Studies and experiences have shown that there are people who are more oriented towards
work than academics. A developing country like Nigeria, aspiring for improvement of living standards has to intensify effort in mentoring in entrepreneurship in order to polish human capital to have improved quality. The improved quality will encourage a better approach in the use of idle resources for economic development. Furthermore, payment for retraining are most often not easily afforded by individuals but here the young entrepreneur spends nothing but continually learning, and acquiring professional advice in varieties of ways and at minimal or no cost. The positive implication is usually reflected in the economic development of a nation. Considering the imperatives’ of mentoring in entrepreneurship for Nigeria`s economic development, the papers made some recommendations on improvement, among which includes that mentoring in entrepreneurship should be incorporated in all levels of education in Nigeria so as to change the attitude of people in search of white – collar – job as a major source of good income and also government should equip the schools with the desired equipment that will enhance mentoring in entrepreneurship.

Keywords: mentoring, entrepreneurship, imperatives, and economic development