Institutional Support Systems and the Realization of Entrepreneurship Aspiration among Undergraduate Business Education Students in Public Universities in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Understanding the relationship between institutional support and the realisation of entrepreneurial aspirations can inform university entrepreneurship education. This study examined the associations of funding, university–industry collaboration, and support for lecturer capacity building with entrepreneurial aspiration realisation among undergraduate business education students in public universities in Abia State, Nigeria. A correlational survey design was employed, involving 260 students selected through proportionate stratified and simple random sampling from the two public universities offering business education programmes. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with a four-point rating scale. Specialists in business education and measurement assessed its face and content validity, while Cronbach’s alpha indicated acceptable internal consistency. Mean scores and standard deviations summarised responses, and Pearson’s product–moment correlation coefficient was used to test the three null hypotheses at a significance level of .05. Funding, university–industry collaboration, and support for lecturer capacity building each demonstrated a statistically significant positive association with students’ realisation of entrepreneurial aspirations. These findings highlight the relevance of institutional support to entrepreneurial aspiration realisation within the participating universities. The study recommends increased budgetary provision for practical entrepreneurship training, stronger partnerships between business education departments and industry, and sustained sponsorship of capacity building programmes for lecturers teaching entrepreneurship-related courses. It contributes contextual evidence to inform institutional planning and support for undergraduate entrepreneurship education.