The Potential Impact of Entrepreneurial Skills on Chemistry Education Students' Achievement in the Sciences in Federal University, Oye Ekiti

Abstract

The research investigated how entrepreneurial skills influence the academic achievements of chemistry education students in the field of chemical production at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study involved eighty (80) 300Level and 400Level Chemistry Education students, in which thirty (30) were males and fifty (50) were females. A quasi-experimental research design was utilized for this investigation. Entrepreneurship Chemistry Achievement Test (ECAT) was employed as the primary assessment tool. The examination items were formulated based on the concepts within chemical production, a sub-topic under polymer chemistry. Data obtained were analyzed using measures of central tendency such as mean and standard deviation. Hypotheses were tested through the application of t-test statistical analysis. Findings from the study revealed that students who participated in hands-on exercises related to chemical production exhibited superior performance compared to those who did not engage in practical activities, based on this finding, it was recommended that equipping chemistry education graduates with technical skills, wider and deeper knowledge of chemical analysis tools in addition to professional skills should be an integral part of the school curriculum not just for improved academic performance but also wealth creation, poverty reduction and youths’ self–employment.