SALVAGING WASTING POTENTIALS IN NIGERIA: AN EYE ON PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT, DESIRABILITY, FEASIBILITY AND ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION

Abstract

In this research, social support, desirability, feasibility and entrepreneurial intention were investigated for the purpose of salvaging wasting potentials in Nigeria. The design of the study was cross sectional survey and accidental sampling technique was used tosample participants. The participants (341; 195 males and 146 females) were undergraduates of Benue State University, Makurdi. They were sampled across the Western and Eastern wings of the university as well as the College of Health Sciences. Their ages ranged from 16-50 years with a mean age of 23 years. A set of questionnaire was used for data collection. It included measures of perceived social support, desirability, feasibility and entrepreneurial intention. Four hypotheses were generated and tested using Standard Multiple Regression. In line with hypothesis one, perceived social support significantly influenced entrepreneurial intention (β=0.131, t=2.50, p<0.05). Consistent with hypothesis two, desirability significantly influenced entrepreneurial intention (β=0.203. t=3.34, p<0.01). The study also revealed that feasibility significantly influenced entrepreneurial intention (β=0.152, t=2.50, p<0.05).There was a significant joint influence of perceived social support, desirability and feasibility on entrepreneurial intention among undergraduates (R=0.343; R2 =0.118, F=14.50, P<0.01). Based on the results, it was recommended among other things that in order to salvage wasting potentials and boost entrepreneurship in citizens of Nigeria, individuals, groups and the government should activate social support programmes that will benefit potential entrepreneurs.