The Role of Female Enterprneurship Skills Development in the Eradication of Household Poverty in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the role of female enterpreneurship skills development and their participation in micro-scheme enterprises in the reduction and eradication of household poverty in Nigeia. Sixty female entrepreneurs were randomly selected from three purposively chosen micro-schemes enterprises operating at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), which include: trading, fashion designing and hair dressing. The data was analysed using descriptive and Foster-Greer-Thorbecke poverty measure. Results showed that majority (75%) of female entrepreneurs in the study area are traders who participate in catering for the welfare of their families. Results further reveal that female entrepreneurs only contribute 25.88% to household income with higher contribution (33.71%) from female entrepreneurs whose main occupations revolve around micro-schemes enterprises. The aged and primary school leavers had the highest percentage contributions to their household income which is an indication that micro-enterprises have great potentials to increase household income of the vulnerable group. About 68.09% of the female entrepreneurs were living in poor households meaning that most of them are necessity entrepreneurs Female entrepreneurs contributed to household poverty reduction by 19.08% with higher  contributions (23.09% and 40%) respectively from households whose main occupation is micro-enterprises and young female  entrepreneurs. Also poverty reduction was highest for households with smallest household size (44.45%) and tertiary level of education (22.3%) while there was no reduction in poverty for households with primary level of education. Hence, more empowerment programmes should be organised by government to alleviate poverty of female entrepreneurs, so as to increase their contributions to household income and reduce household poverty.

Keywords: Micro-Schenes Enterprise, Female Enterpreneurship Shills, Participation in Household Poverty