THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION, NPOWER PROGRAMS AND YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN ADO-EKITI, EKITI STATE

The general objective of the study is to analyze the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation, Npower programs and youth unemployment in Ado-ekiti, ekiti state. The main research instrument used for the study was questionnaire. Descriptive analysis research design was employed. The population of the study comprises of employees of selected banks in Ekiti State, while a sample size of 321 was derived using Taro Yamani’s formula but 238 was returned and used for analysis. The reliability for the questionnaire showed a Cronbach Alpha value above 0.8 for all the constructs. Correlation analysis was used to test the hypotheses with the aid of Stata version 13 software. Correlation analysis showed that the constructs were positively correlated. Single regression was conducted to the formulated hypotheses and post regression diagnostics test were carried out to certify the regression model. The study finds that: Entrepreneurial orientation has a significant effect on youth unemployment in Ado-ekiti metropolis (coef. = 1.285, p = 0.000). Npower has a significant effect on youth unemployment in Ado-ekiti, ekiti state (Coef. = 0.393, p = 0.002). Npower mediate between entrepreneurial orientation and youth unemployment in Ado-ekiti, ekiti state(Coef. = 1.003, p = 0.000). The study concluded that indeed entrepreneurial orientation,Npower program and youth unemployment has a cordial relationship,and each work hand in hand to ensure that youths in Ado-ekiti, ekiti state are financially stable by embarrassing the benefits inclusive in youth orientation and Npower program. The study provided some recommendations which includes; 1. Government at all levels should establish new and enhance existing human capital development Centre most especially the skills acquisitions centre at each senatorial district of the State at affordable cost and accessible to her citizen. 2. Government should initiate monitoring and evaluation machinery to ensure implementation of youth policies such as regular evaluation should be made to provide immediate feedback. 3. There should be a massive reduction in the political corruption index of the country to enable a viable youth development. This is because corruption, which has permeated the entire social structure of Nigeria, has robbed the country of development