THE NEXUS BETWEEN STUDENTS’ PARTICIPATION IN PETTY TRADING AND ECONOMIC SURVIVAL IN EKSU

This study investigates the effect of corporate taxation on the reserves of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria from 2020 to 2024, a period marked by economic volatility, regulatory reforms, and shifts in fiscal policy. Reserves, comprising retained earnings and statutory provisions, are critical for the stability and lending capacity of banks. Using panel data from a selection of Tier-1 and Tier-2 Nigerian banks, the study analyzes how corporate tax obligations impact reserve accumulation during this period. The analysis reveals a significant inverse relationship between corporate tax burdens and bank reserves, particularly during years of heightened tax enforcement and policy shifts, such as the implementation of the Finance Acts (2020–2023). Results suggest that higher effective tax rates reduce the amount of after-tax income available for reinvestment, thereby constraining banks’ ability to build reserves. The study recommends a more balanced corporate tax framework that supports revenue generation without undermining the financial resilience of banks, especially in an economy recovering from global and domestic shocks. This study examines ‘the nexus between students’ participation in petty trading and their economic survival in Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti.’ The research was motivated by the growing number of university students who engage in various small-scale business activities to support themselves financially amidst the rising cost of education and the current economic challenges in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design, using a structured questionnaire to gather data from a representative sample of EKSU students across different faculties and departments. A total of (238) respondents were selected through a stratified random sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores, while inferential statistics such as regression analysis were employed to test the hypotheses. Findings from the study revealed that a significant proportion of students in EKSU engage in petty trading activities such as the sale of food items, clothing, phone accessories, and rendering of small services. The major factors influencing students’ participation include financial hardship, inadequate family support, high cost of living, and unemployment. The study further established a positive and significant relationship between students’ involvement in petty trading and their ability to meet basic financial needs, pay tuition fees, and sustain themselves economically throughout their academic programs. However, challenges such as time management, academic distraction, and limited business capital were identified as major constraints. The study concludes that petty trading plays a crucial role in enhancing students’ economic survival and contributes meaningfully to their self-reliance and entrepreneurial development. It recommends that the university management and government agencies create entrepreneurial support programs, flexible business regulations, and access to microcredit facilities to assist student traders. Additionally, students are encouraged to maintain a healthy balance between academic responsibilities and trading activities to ensure academic excellence alongside economic sustenance.