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Articles

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2025): CJOE: Vol.9 No.1 June 2025

Exploring the Nexus of Agripreneurial Mindset, Education, and Passion in Nigerian Agricultural Science Students

Submitted
January 16, 2025
Published
2025-01-16

Abstract

Addressing the food crises, stagflation, and criminality in Nigeria lies in adopting an agripreneurial mindset within the agribusiness sector, especially among unemployed tertiary institution graduates. This research assessed the agripreneurial mindset, education, and passion of final-year undergraduates in various agricultural disciplines, analyzed association between agripreneurial education, passion, and mindset, examined effects of education and passion on mindset, and described barriers to agripreneurial mindset. Data collected using structured questionnaire from 155 final-year students of Faculties of Agriculture at Lagos State University, Yaba College of Technology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses. Respondents strongly preferred self-employment in the agriculture and food industry, with concerns about rural living. Respondents exhibited strong positive attitude towards agripreneurial education, with consensus on its benefits for business start-ups, strategic thinking, and social networking. They displayed high level of agripreneurial passion, reflected in affinity for hands-on agriculture, confidence in potential success, and proactive planning. Correlation analysis revealed significant weak positive correlations between agripreneurial mindset and education (r = 0.361, p < 0.01), mindset and passion (r = 0.306, p < 0.01), and education and passion (r = 0.243, p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis indicated that education and passion significantly predicted agripreneurial mindset, with education having a stronger effect. The primary barriers were limited practical training and start-up capital. The research recommends enhancing rural infrastructure, integrating practical learning in curricula, establishing financial support mechanisms, and promoting agripreneurial passion through workshops, seminars, and networking events.