Page 1 of 10
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/
ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 03 Issue 09
August 2017
Available online: http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/ P a g e | 8
Business Education: A Pathway to Economy Recovery in Nigeria
Lawal Rasheed Adesunmbo & Ajaja, O.B.
Department of Business Education College of Education, Ikere Ekiti
ABSTRACT
Business Education is a necessary condition
to achieve economy recovery because it
makes one to establish and manage their
businesses, create jobs for themselves and
others, become self-reliant and self employed
without any recourse to government and
above all participate in public works and
community development. Hence, this paper
examines the need for Business Education,
the concept of Business Education, important
of Business Education to the nation, Business
Education and national development, concept
of poverty, constraints of poverty alleviation
through Business Education were discussed
in the paper and it further recommends that
only qualified Business educators should be
recruited to teach Business Education courses
at all educational levels and the already
recruited ones should as a matter of urgency
go for retraining especially in the use of
modern technology, and adequate fund should
be made available for effective
implementation of Business Education
programmes.
Introduction
The roles of Business Education on
the economic growth, development,
sustainability and quick recovery from
economic recession cannot be over
emphasized. To his end, the modern societies
demand a comprehensive type of education
that can equip the individuals with knowledge
that can make them functional and self
reliance. The National Policy on Education
(2004) highlighted Nigeria’s desire to achieve
her national goals through education; hence,
the need for acquisition of appropriate skills,
abilities and competence both mental and
physical as equipment for the individual to
live and also contribute to development of the
society.
Business education is by nature almost
totally economic-oriented, and its
contribution is significant to the realization of
the national economy recovery. One of the
two aspects of business education, “basic
business”, contributes to economic literacy
and therefore to the general education of
everyone. Basic business education is that
broad area of knowledge that with a country’s
Page 2 of 10
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/
ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 03 Issue 09
August 2017
Available online: http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/ P a g e | 9
enterprise system identifies and explains the
roles of business a nation’s economic
institution and provides content and
experiences that prepare individuals for
effective participation as citizens, workers
and consumers in nation’s society (Osuala,
2009). Quality Business education is vital in
the programme of services delivery in the
economic vision of economy recovery of
Nigeria. Etonyeaku (2009) affirmed that
business education has a formidable force that
will equip individuals with appropriate skills,
knowledge, abilities and competencies that
will enable them to be self-employed and
self-reliant which will lead to sustainable
economic development.
Business education is an aspect of
vocational and technical education which is
used as a term to refer to those educational
processes involving the study of techniques,
related sciences, acquisition of practical skills
attitudes and knowledge relating to
occupation in vocational sectors of economic
and social life (Etonyeaku, 2009).
Regardless of the present economy
recession in Nigeria, there must be a serious
look at the reality on ground that we need to
focus on the type of education that could help
in creation of jobs for individual which can
contribute to the quick recovery of our
economy in Nigeria.
Concept of Business Education
The definition of the concept of
business education has evolved over time.
This is evident in the different definitions
offered by various authors and researchers in
trying to make clear the meaning of business
education. Agwumezie (1999) cited by
Innocent et al (2015) defined business
education as a course that prepares students
for entry in advancement of jobs within
business; and prepares them to handle their
own business affairs to function intelligently
as consumers and citizens in a business
economy. Similarly, Amaewhule (2000) in
Innocent et al (2015) opined that business
education encompasses knowledge, attitudes,
and skills needed by all citizens in order to
effectively manage their personal businesses
and economic system. Atakpa (2011) in
Innocent et al (2015 remarked that business
education is an embodiment of vocational
knowledge and skills needed for employment
and advancement in a broad range of business
careers.
In other words, business education
means education for business or training skills
which is required in business offices, clerical
Page 3 of 10
Journal for Studies in Management and Planning
Available at http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/
ISSN: 2395-0463
Volume 03 Issue 09
August 2017
Available online: http://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/JSMaP/ P a g e | 10
occupation and business policy analysis. In
his own view, Okoye (2013) cited by
Innocent et al (2015) extensively defined
business education as an education program
that orientate students in: art of business
making (marketing), typing and shorthand
skills (currently competing with computer
appreciation and operation), service delivery,
secretarial jobs, stenography, account
clerking, office information system and
management.
Objectives of Business Education
In line with National Policy on Education the
objectives of business education includes:-
i. To empower the individual with desirable
skills, knowledge and values to perform
specific functions so as to become self-reliant;
ii. To empower the individual in such a way that
the individual will develop his intellectual
capacity that would help him to make
informed decisions in all spheres of life;
iii. To understand the political framework of a
nation and contribute to national economic
and development (Ezemoyih, 2011).
Importance of business education to the
Nation
The following are the importance of Business
Education to the nation as prescribed by
Ajisafe, O. E, et al (2015)
i. Business Education is important to the nation
because more people would have skills that
can make them ready employers of labour.
Dependence on the nation would be
minimized as people become job creators.
ii. As people develop proper values towards
work they tend to contribute more
economically to the nation. For instance, the
nation is divorced from violence, sexual
immorality, pride, corruption and examination
malpractice among others.
iii. As individual citizens become judicious
spenders, the country gains by way of
investing excess resources on meaningful
projects that would lead to economic
development. Today, we are talking about
poor infrastructural facilities in our
educational and health systems, this can be
avoided if we spend wisely.
iv. If one understands one’s right as a citizen of a
country and enforces them the country would
have less to worry about but would rather
devote more time and resources on
development.
v. If citizens of a country develop sound moral
value then the country will be free from
insecurity and peace will reign supreme.
More people will invest in the country and
