INNOVATIVENESS AS A DRIVING FORCE OF NEW BUSINESSES IN KATSINA: EXPLORING THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of entrepreneurship development programmes offered
by Katsina State entrepreneurship development centres with a view to identifying whether
these programmes have led to the establishment of innovativeness in business in the State.
The study utilized a structured questionnaire to collect data from participants of
entrepreneurship development programmes in Katsina Youth Craft Village and Business
Apprenticeship Training Centres from 2010 to 2018. A multistage sampling technique
involving purposive, stratified, and convenience sampling was used to select 371 respondents
from Katsina youth craft village and business apprenticeship centers in Daura and Funtua
senatorial zones of the State, out of which 338 respondents completed and returned the
questionnaires. Two hundred and ninety-nine responses were analyzed. The reliability of the
measurement model was tested using Cronbach Alpha. Hypothesis testing was carried out
using a simple linear regression model. The study found that entrepreneurship development
programmes offered by Katsina State have a positive effect on the ability and willingness of
the respondents to innovativeness in business. The study recommends that the
entrepreneurship development programmes be sustained and strengthened through
government support. Plans should be created and executed to enhance graduates' creative
abilities and start-up packages and financial support should be provided to the graduates to
establish their businesses after the programme.