Women Entrepreneurship Determinants in Nigeria

Abstract: Women entrepreneurs have attracted the attention of organizations, policy makers and researchers as they have been identified as an important unexploited source of economic growth and development. The objective of this research is to contribute knowledge about women entrepreneurship in Nigeria and their motivations for entrepreneurship especially on MSMEs level. An empirical survey was conducted with cross-sectional data collected via questionnaire from 422 selected women respondents in six states each representing a geo-political zone in Nigeria using stratified sampling technique. Respondents are engaged in micro, small or medium enterprises in Nigeria. The study results provide strong determinant of women entrepreneurship in Nigeria. The Structural Equation Model (SEM) was employed as tools for testing hypotheses using SmartPLS 2. Findings revealed that the determinant of women entrepreneurship varies by life experiences and country. The study further discovered that a lot of women were motivated by the need for survival, family traits, education and skills, independence and need for achievement respectively in Nigeria. The study recommended that the Nigerian government should encourage women more in entrepreneurial activities and provide sound conducive business environment for women through provision of infrastructural facilities such as entrepreneurial training and skills, finance, infrastructures and credit facilities that will enhance women’s participation more in business.

Key words: determinants; women entrepreneurship; Nigeria

JEL: L26