Analysis of the Determinant Factors of Entrepreneurial and Career Choice among Trainees of Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Oshodi, Lagos Nigeria

Abstract

The post-service life of the military personnel is germane to the corporate existence and adjustment of ex-military personnel; hence, the military in Nigeria places high premium on resettling personnel through an entrepreneurship programme. The study investigated the influencing factors of entrepreneurial choice among military personnel during the resettlement training programme. It also determined the pattern of entrepreneurial and career choice currently existing among the members of the Nigerian Armed Forces on enrolment as trainees at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre. In addition, the study explored some of the psychological and sociological variables that usually affect or influence their choices such as educational background, rank and job specialisation. Four research hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. A sample of 200 trainees were purposively selected and participated in the study. A questionnaire titled “Trainees Entrepreneurial Choice Inventory (TECI)” was used to obtain relevant data that were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test. Findings from the study revealed participants strongly agree with the influence of educational background, rank, place of settlement and job specialisation while in military on their entrepreneurial and trade choice. Furthermore, the result of the study showed that all four hypotheses were accepted. Among the recommendations based on the findings was that training curriculum in the various military training institutions should be enhanced to incorporate component skills on vocational and entrepreneurial education. In addition, group counselling and orientation service should be organised for trainees prior to their choice of entrepreneurship.