EFFECT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS ON GROWTH OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SCALE ENTERPRISES IN WUSE MARKET, ABUJA

Despite the importance of Small and Medium-scale Enterprises in the growth of every economy, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises in Abuja are experiencing short life-span as a result of lack of entrepreneurial skills by the Entrepreneurs. The objective of this research is to examine the effect of Entrepreneurial skills on growth of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Wuse Market Abuja. Entrepreneurial skills are measured through Innovative, Managerial, Marketing and Technological skills, while growth of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises are measured through customer patronage, increased sales and increased profit. To realize the objectives of this study, the survey research design was adopted. Primary data was obtained from a sample size of 167 obtained with Taro Yamane formula from 986 permanent shop owners in Wuse market Abuja. Sampling Technique adopted was the Convenience Sampling Technique. Descriptive Statistics was employed for data analysis; while the Regression and Correlation Analysis were used for testing all the postulated. Findings show that Innovative skills, Managerial skills and Marketing skills have positive significant relationships with growth of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Wuse Market Abuja, while Technological skills do not have. Based on the findings and conclusion, this study recommends that operators of Small and Medium-scale Enterprises should: always create and procure new products for attracting customers attention and patronage; periodically carry out control activities of their businesses so as identify and also correct mistakes; execute Product development based on customer’s needs.