AWARENESS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION CURRICULUM IN EKITI STATE

ABSTRACT Entrepreneurship education plays a critical role in preparing graduates for the dynamic labor market, particularly in fields such as computer science, where innovation and technology-driven businesses are rapidly expanding. This study examines the level of awareness of entrepreneurship skills among computer science students and educators in tertiary institutions in Ekiti state , Nigeria. It explores the extent to which entrepreneurship concepts are integrated into the computer science curriculum and identifies factors influencing students’ and lecturers’ perceptions of entrepreneurship. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, utilizing a structured questionnaire to collect data from computer science students and lecturers across selected tertiary institutions in Ekiti State. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to ensure a representative sample. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, chi-square tests to determine significant variations in entrepreneurship awareness based on demographic factors. Findings indicate that while computer science students demonstrate moderate awareness of entrepreneurship training within the curriculum. The study also reveals that lecturers acknowledge the importance of entrepreneurship education but face challenges such as insufficient resources and time constraints in effectively delivering entrepreneurial content. This research highlights the need for a more structured integration of entrepreneurship skills into computer science education. Strengthening entrepreneurship education in computer science will not only equip graduates with technical expertise but also empower them to create sustainable business, thereby contributing to economic development in Nigeria.