Entrepreneurship Education and Performance of SMEs in the Manufacturing Sector of North Central Nigeria: Evidence from Primary Data Analysis

This study investigates the influence of entrepreneurship education on the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector of North Central Nigeria. Utilizing a sample of 397 respondents (using simple random sampling) from the population of 54,657 SME owners in North Central Nigeria using Taro Yamane’s fornula. Data were collected through a questionnaire, with instrument validity confirmed by factor analysis and reliability tested using Cronbach Alpha, yielding a coefficient of 0.868. Data analysis was performed using SPSS (Version 26), with descriptive statistics presented in tables. Key findings highlight that technical and managerial skills training significantly enhances business leadership and strategic planning. However, gaps in digital proficiency and financial documentation persist. While 68% of respondents engage in innovation, 40% still struggle with product development. Networking skills training revealed strong collaboration, though challenges in information sharing remain. The study concludes that entrepreneurship education boosts SME performance in productivity, expansion, and job creation but stresses the need for targeted interventions in digital skills, resource management, and financial discipline. The study recommends enhanced technical, managerial, innovation, and financial training to address these gaps and foster growth.