THE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT INDUSTRIAL POLICIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AKWA IBOM STATE (A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES IN IKOT EKPENE).

The study examined the impact of government industrial policies on the development of entrepreneurship in Nigeria using selected small and medium scale enterprises in Ikot Ekpene as a case study. To accomplish the research objectives, the study adopted the survey research design while the Taro Yamane sampling technique was used to select fifty (50) respondents as sample size for the study. Instrument of the study was self developed questionnaire and the forms were personally administered. The findings revealed that there is significant impact of import-substitution policy on the development of entrepreneurship in Nigeria, that there is significant effect of export-processing zones policy on the development of entrepreneurship in Nigeria, that there is significant impact of export- promotion policy on the development of entrepreneurship in Nigeria, that there is significant effects of foreign-private investment policy on the development of entrepreneurship in Nigeria. It was therefore concluded that the current policy on export promotion on industrial activities in Nigeria could promote economic growth if properly implemented. In line with the findings, it was recommended that the Nigerian government should provide and maintain adequate infrastructural facilities in both the rural and urban areas to encourage entrepreneurship, that entrepreneurs should be trained to have the knowledge of modern management techniques and acquire proper managerial techniques and managerial skills to fit into the workings of government industrial policies.