BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION: ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NEW ERA

Abstract

This study examined business and entrepreneurship education: issues, challenges and opportunities in the new era from the perspectives of business educators. A descriptive survey research design was employed. The study involved 42 business educators, comprising 17 respondents from the Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, Ogun State, and 25 respondents from the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire titled Business and Entrepreneurship Education in the New Era Questionnaire (BEENEQ). The instrument underwent expert validation, while its internal consistency was established through Cronbach's Alpha, yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.87. Descriptive statistics comprising mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, whereas independent samples t-test was applied to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicated that curriculum responsiveness, technological integration, entrepreneurial competence, digital literacy, innovation, and collaboration with industry constitute major issues influencing business and entrepreneurship education. Persistent constraints were identified in the areas of funding, instructional resources, digital infrastructure, staff development, and practical exposure. At the same time, emerging technologies, digital entrepreneurship, business incubation initiatives, strategic partnerships, and online learning environments present substantial opportunities for strengthening programme delivery. The study concluded that sustained curriculum reform, investment in digital infrastructure, continuous professional development, and stronger institutional collaboration with industry remain essential for positioning business and entrepreneurship education to respond effectively to contemporary socio-economic realities.