INFLUENCE OF GRADUATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP FUND (GEF) ON YOUTH ECONOMIC INCLUSION (A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED BOI BENEFICIARIES IN AWKA SOUTH L.G.A OF ANAMBRA STATE)

ABSTRACT This research work was designed to determine the influence of graduate entrepreneurship fund (GEF) on youth economic inclusion. a case study of selected BOI beneficiaries in Awka L.G.A .   The objectives of the study includes to evaluate the services (financial & non-financial) rendered to the youths who are beneficiaries of GEF program, determine the effect of GEF program on graduate level of income after their participation in the GEF program, examine the efforts of GEF program in facilitating small scale enterprise among graduates, Identify challenges that limits graduates participation in the program. Descriptive survey research design was adopted using a simple random sampling to select one hundred respondents which structured questionnaire was administered. The data obtained were analyzed using simple percentage, mean and frequency tables. The study revealed that allocation of credit, provision of capital for small businesses and export promotion incentives are some of the services rendered to youths through the GEF program. Economic developments, conservation of foreign exchange, improved standard of living are the effort of GEF program in facilitating SMEs development among graduates. Lack of credit facilities, security issues, poor planning and the poor state of country’s infrastructure are the challenges that limits graduate participation in the GEF program .Based on the findings,  it was recommended government should encourage the growth of small business by giving them the necessary assistance as regards to fund raising and equally advise them on how to utilize it effectively and also ensure adequate provision of credit facilities through various financial institutions to aid entrepreneurship. 
  TABLE OF CONTENTS   Title Page i Certification Page ii Approval page iii Dedication iv Acknowledgement  v Abstract vi Table of Contentsvii
CHAPTER ONE:  INTRODUCTION 1.1. Background of the Study 1 1.2. Statement of the Problem 4 1.3. Research Question 6 1.3. Objective of the Study 6 1.5. Significance of the study 7 1.6. Scope of the study 8 CHAPTER TWO:  LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1. Concept of Entrepreneurship  9 2.2. Concept of Small and medium Enterprise  15 2.3. The Concept of Youth Economic Inclusion 18 2.4. Entrepreneur in Nigeria 23 2.5. Historical Development of Small Scale Industries 24 2.6. Establishment of Bank of Industries (BOI) 28 2.7. The Roles and Importance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Economic Development 30 2.8. Financial support given to Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria 36 2.9. Challenges to the Entrepreneur in Nigeria 40 2.10. Empirical Review 48
CHAPTER THREE:  RESEARCH METHODOLGOY AND DESIGN 3.1. Research Method 53 3.2. Area of Study 53 3.3. Population of the Study  55 3.4. Sampling Technique Sample Size Determination 55 3.5. Sources of Data 57 3.6. Description of Data Collection Instrument 58 3.7. Validity of the Instrument  58 3.8. Reliability of the Instrument 59 3.9. Method of Data Analysis 59
CHAPTER FOUR:  DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS 4.1. Socio-economic Characteristics of the respondents 63 4.1.1: Sex of respondents 64 4.1.2 Age of respondents 65 4.1.3 Marital Status 66 4.1.4 Education Qualification  67 4.1.5 Source of Capital 68 4.1.6 Successful Application of Bank Loan 69 4.1.7 Sources of Raw Material 70 4.2 Response of Respondents on the Services (Financial & Non-Financial) Rendered to Youths through GEF Progra 4.3 Effect of GEF Program on the Graduate Level of Income after Participation Youths through the GEF Program   4.4 Effort of GEF Program in Facilitating SMEs Development among Graduates 74 4.5 Challenges that Limits Graduate Participation in the GEF Program75 4.6 Role of Agency towards the Development of SMEs 76 4.6.1 Test of Hypothesis 78
CHAPTER FIVE:  SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATION, CONCLUSION AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY 5.1. Summary of Findings 82 5.2. Conclusions 85 5.3. Recommendations   86 5.4. Limitations 87 References 88 Appendix 93