Motivational Components and Entrepreneurial Intentions among Students in Nigeria
Folashade G Akinkunmi, Arinola O Olaleye, Folake O Osadebe, Eyitayo O Olaleye
Abstract
This survey explored the motivational components and entrepreneurial intentions among students in Nigeria. Motivational components of students that were considered are: self- efficacy and peer group influence. Theory of Self-Efficacy by Bandura (1977) and social identity theory (SIT) by Tajfel and Turner (1979) were used as theoretical guide for this survey. Two objectives were raised to guide this survey. The findings showed that motivational components in areas of self-efficacy and peer group influence have significant positive effect on students’ entrepreneurial intention in various parts of the nation. Those students with high self-efficacy were found to have higher entrepreneurial intention than those with low level of self-efficacy. Also, it was shown that positive peer group influence also positively affects entrepreneurial intention of the students. When students are part of a peer group that values entrepreneurship, they are more likely to be inspired and motivated to pursue entrepreneurial ventures themselves. It was therefore recommended among others that to instil high self- efficacy in students for higher entrepreneurial intention which is urgently needed in Nigeria, educators and parents should focus on building students' confidence through mastery and vicarious experiences, provide the necessary and positive feedback needed to foster positive beliefs and growth mindset among the students; and to maximize positive peer group influence among students in fostering entrepreneurial intention, schools should ensure that a positive collaborative learning environment is created through structured entrepreneurship group activities, peer tutoring, and open communication.
Keywords
Motivational Components
Self-Efficacy
Peer Group Influence
Entrepreneurial
References
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Nigeria. ATBU Journal of Science, Technology and Education, 8(2), 352-368. ISSN
3093-0898
Adeleye, A. A., Oyinkansola, O., Ogundiran, F., Wahab, K. T. & Samaila, H. (2025).
Academic self-concept and self-efficacy as determinants of entrepreneurial intention
among students with special needs in Federal College of Education Special Oyo.
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 9(04),
3848-3859. https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.90400275
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as correlate of study habits in senior secondary schools, Ogbomoso Metropolis, Oyo
State. Al-Hikmah Journal of Education, 7(1), 187-193. ISSN 2384-7662, E-ISSN 2705-
2508
Ajetomobi, E. R., Tajudeen, F. F. & Adeyan, K. (2022). Self-efficacy and self-employment
intentions of recent graduates in Nigeria. Global Scientific Journals, 10(4), 1463-1472.
Online: ISSN 2320-9186
Al-Harthy, I.S. & Aldhafri, S.S. (2014). The relationship among task-value, self-efficacy and
academic achievement in Omani students at Sultan Qaboos University. International
Review of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(2), 15-22. ISSN 2248-9010 (Online),
ISSN 2250-0715 (Print)
Ayedun, T. A., & Ajayi, M. O. (2018). Entrepreneurial intention among students of selected
tertiary institutions in Ondo State. International Journal of Development Strategies in
Humanities, Management and Social Sciences, 8(1), 1-16. ISSN Print: 2360-9036
Online: 2360-9044
Ayodele, K. O. (2013). Demographics, entrepreneurial selfefficacy and locus of control as
determinants of adolescents’ entrepreneurial intention in Ogun State. European Journal
of Business and Social Sciences, 1(12), 59-67. ISSN: 2235-767X
Balogun, A. O., Oniye, R. K., Abdulaziz, I., Olokooba, I. N. & Muhammad, G. M. F. (2017).
Parental entrepreneurial experience and peer group influence as predictors of
entrepreneurial intentions of undergraduates in University of Ilorin. Journal of
Curriculum and Instruction (Special Edition in Honour of Prof. Olubusuyi
Fajemidagba), 10(2), 1-10. https://jci-ilorin.org.ng/index.php/jci/article/view/59
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4,
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Academic
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Nigeria. Niger Delta Journal of Library and Information Science, 5(2), 26-38. e-ISSN:
3026-8141 Print ISSN: 2756-3758
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intention among undergraduate students in selected tertiary institutions in southwest,
Nigeria. African Journal of Management and Business Research, 3(1), 94–104.
Retrieved
from
https://publications.afropolitanjournals.com/index.php/ajmbr/article/view/74
Marcus, L. B. (2017). Influence of Parents, Teachers and Peer Groups on Students’ Choice of
Business Subjects in Government Secondary Schools, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Unpublished Master’s dissertation, Department of Vocational and Technical Education,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. https://kubanni-backend.abu.edu.ng
Moa-Liberty, A.W., Tunde, A. O. & Tinuola, O. L. (2016). The influence of self-efficacy and
socio-demographic factors on the entrepreneurial intentions of selected Youth Corp
members in Lagos, Nigeria. Bulletin of Geography Socio-economic Series, 34, 63–71.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/ bog-2016-0035
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Cengage Learning. ISBN-13: 978-1111835491
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Unpublished Thesis in Business Economics Submitted to Vaasan Ammattikorkeakoulu
university of Applied Sciences. https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/138260
Nwankwo, B. E., Kanu, G. C., Marire, M. I., Balogun, S. K. & Uhiara, A. C. (2012). Gender-
role orientation and self-efficacy as correlates of entrepreneurial intention. European
Journal of Business and Social Sciences, 1(7), 9-26. http://www.ejbss.coc/rcent.aspx.
Odia, J. O. & Odia, A. A. (2019). Entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention of
undergraduate students in Nigeria. Science Arena Publications International journal of
Business Management, 4(2), 30-40. ISSN: 2520-5943
Oduh, W. A., Agboola, J. O. & Eibhalemen, F. A. (2020). Influence of peer group on the career
choice of secondary school students in south senatorial district of Edo State, Nigeria.
International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education (IJHSSE), 7(6),
214-221.
ISSN
2349-0373
(Print)
&
ISSN
2349-0381
(Online)
http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2349-0381.0706023
Ofem, K. I., Abanyam, V. A., Abanyam, V. A. & Osim, V. A. (2023). Personal variables and
perception on entrepreneurship education among undergraduates in Nigeria. Prestige
Journal of Counselling Psychology, 6(2), 105-117. ISSN: 2651-5687 (Print), ISSN:
2651-5709 (Online)
Ojewumi, A., Oyeleke, J., Agberotimi, F., & Adedayo, O. (2018). The influence of gender and
self-efficacy on entrepreneurial intentions among Obafemi Awolowo University
undergraduate students. Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies, 11(2), 169-
https://jpanafrican.org/docs/vol11no2/11.2-13-Ojewumi.pdf
Ojewumi, K. A. & Fagbenro, D. A. (2019). Entrepreneurial intention among polytechnic
students in Nigeria: The role of self- efficacy and social networks. International Journal
of Entrepreneurial Knowledge, 7(1), 20-30. doi: 10.2478/ijek-2019- 0002
Ojiaku, O.C., Nkamnebe, A.D. & Nwaizugbo, I.C. (2018). Determinants of entrepreneurial
intentions among young graduates: perspectives of push-pull-mooring model. Journal
of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 8(24), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40497-
018-0109-3
Okoye, L. J. (2016). Psychosocial predictors of entrepreneurial intention among Nigerian
graduates. International Journal of Psychology and Counselling, 8(6), 73-80. DOI:
10.5897/IJPC2016.0407
Olanrew
and entrepreneurial intention of business education students of colleges of education in
Nigeria. ATBU Journal of Science, Technology and Education, 8(2), 352-368. ISSN
3093-0898
Adeleye, A. A., Oyinkansola, O., Ogundiran, F., Wahab, K. T. & Samaila, H. (2025).
Academic self-concept and self-efficacy as determinants of entrepreneurial intention
among students with special needs in Federal College of Education Special Oyo.
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 9(04),
3848-3859. https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.90400275
Aderinto, S., Aransiola, A.B. & Pwajok, M.A. (2020). Students’ perception on peer pressure
as correlate of study habits in senior secondary schools, Ogbomoso Metropolis, Oyo
State. Al-Hikmah Journal of Education, 7(1), 187-193. ISSN 2384-7662, E-ISSN 2705-
2508
Ajetomobi, E. R., Tajudeen, F. F. & Adeyan, K. (2022). Self-efficacy and self-employment
intentions of recent graduates in Nigeria. Global Scientific Journals, 10(4), 1463-1472.
Online: ISSN 2320-9186
Al-Harthy, I.S. & Aldhafri, S.S. (2014). The relationship among task-value, self-efficacy and
academic achievement in Omani students at Sultan Qaboos University. International
Review of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(2), 15-22. ISSN 2248-9010 (Online),
ISSN 2250-0715 (Print)
Ayedun, T. A., & Ajayi, M. O. (2018). Entrepreneurial intention among students of selected
tertiary institutions in Ondo State. International Journal of Development Strategies in
Humanities, Management and Social Sciences, 8(1), 1-16. ISSN Print: 2360-9036
Online: 2360-9044
Ayodele, K. O. (2013). Demographics, entrepreneurial selfefficacy and locus of control as
determinants of adolescents’ entrepreneurial intention in Ogun State. European Journal
of Business and Social Sciences, 1(12), 59-67. ISSN: 2235-767X
Balogun, A. O., Oniye, R. K., Abdulaziz, I., Olokooba, I. N. & Muhammad, G. M. F. (2017).
Parental entrepreneurial experience and peer group influence as predictors of
entrepreneurial intentions of undergraduates in University of Ilorin. Journal of
Curriculum and Instruction (Special Edition in Honour of Prof. Olubusuyi
Fajemidagba), 10(2), 1-10. https://jci-ilorin.org.ng/index.php/jci/article/view/59
Bandura, A. (1977b). Self-efficacy: Toward a Unifying Theory of Behavioural
Change, Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1977-
25733-001
Bandura, A. (1994). Self-Efficacy: In V. S. Ramachaudran (Ed.), Encyclopedia of human
behaviour.
(Vol.
4,
pp.
71-
81).
New
York:
Academic
Press.
https://www.scirp.org/reference/ReferencesPapers?ReferenceID=1539276
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The Exercise of Control. W H Freeman/Times Books/ Henry
Holt & Co: New York, 1997. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1997-08589-000
Elmotaleb, M. A. & Sahalof, S. K. (2013). The role of academic self-efficacy as a mediator
variable between perceived academic climate and academic performance. Journal
Education and Learning, 2(3), 117-123. doi:10.5539/jel.v2n3p117
Fareo, D. O. (2019). Learning environment and peer pressure as correlates of academic
aspirations among senior secondary school students in Mubi North Local Government
Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Innovation in
Social Science (IJRISS), 3(8), 683-689. ISSN 2454-6186
Iro-Idoro, C. B. & Iro-Idoro, E. U. (2015). Self-efficacy as correlates of entrepreneurial
intention of tertiary institution students in Ogun State, Nigeria. International Journal
of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT), 5(2), 1-6. ISSN: 2277-3754
James-Ngochindo, P. & Kayii, N. E. (2025). Influence of self-efficacy on entrepreneurial
disposition of business education students in Rivers State Universities. International
Journal of Social Sciences and Management Research, 11(3), 154-169. E-ISSN 2545-
5303 P-ISSN 2695-2203
Kehinde, B. W. & Afolabi, O. E. (2024). The impact of peer influence on entrepreneurial
intentions among library and information science undergraduates in South-West
Nigeria. Niger Delta Journal of Library and Information Science, 5(2), 26-38. e-ISSN:
3026-8141 Print ISSN: 2756-3758
Ladokun, I. O., Onimole S. O. & Olowu A. U. (2022). Personality traits and entrepreneurial
intention among undergraduate students in selected tertiary institutions in southwest,
Nigeria. African Journal of Management and Business Research, 3(1), 94–104.
Retrieved
from
https://publications.afropolitanjournals.com/index.php/ajmbr/article/view/74
Marcus, L. B. (2017). Influence of Parents, Teachers and Peer Groups on Students’ Choice of
Business Subjects in Government Secondary Schools, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Unpublished Master’s dissertation, Department of Vocational and Technical Education,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. https://kubanni-backend.abu.edu.ng
Moa-Liberty, A.W., Tunde, A. O. & Tinuola, O. L. (2016). The influence of self-efficacy and
socio-demographic factors on the entrepreneurial intentions of selected Youth Corp
members in Lagos, Nigeria. Bulletin of Geography Socio-economic Series, 34, 63–71.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/ bog-2016-0035
Nevid, J. S. (2013). Psychology: Concepts and Applications. Belmont, CA. Wadsworth
Cengage Learning. ISBN-13: 978-1111835491
Nguyen, M. L. (2017). The Impact of Employees Motivation on Organizational Effectiveness,
Unpublished Thesis in Business Economics Submitted to Vaasan Ammattikorkeakoulu
university of Applied Sciences. https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/138260
Nwankwo, B. E., Kanu, G. C., Marire, M. I., Balogun, S. K. & Uhiara, A. C. (2012). Gender-
role orientation and self-efficacy as correlates of entrepreneurial intention. European
Journal of Business and Social Sciences, 1(7), 9-26. http://www.ejbss.coc/rcent.aspx.
Odia, J. O. & Odia, A. A. (2019). Entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention of
undergraduate students in Nigeria. Science Arena Publications International journal of
Business Management, 4(2), 30-40. ISSN: 2520-5943
Oduh, W. A., Agboola, J. O. & Eibhalemen, F. A. (2020). Influence of peer group on the career
choice of secondary school students in south senatorial district of Edo State, Nigeria.
International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education (IJHSSE), 7(6),
214-221.
ISSN
2349-0373
(Print)
&
ISSN
2349-0381
(Online)
http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2349-0381.0706023
Ofem, K. I., Abanyam, V. A., Abanyam, V. A. & Osim, V. A. (2023). Personal variables and
perception on entrepreneurship education among undergraduates in Nigeria. Prestige
Journal of Counselling Psychology, 6(2), 105-117. ISSN: 2651-5687 (Print), ISSN:
2651-5709 (Online)
Ojewumi, A., Oyeleke, J., Agberotimi, F., & Adedayo, O. (2018). The influence of gender and
self-efficacy on entrepreneurial intentions among Obafemi Awolowo University
undergraduate students. Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies, 11(2), 169-
https://jpanafrican.org/docs/vol11no2/11.2-13-Ojewumi.pdf
Ojewumi, K. A. & Fagbenro, D. A. (2019). Entrepreneurial intention among polytechnic
students in Nigeria: The role of self- efficacy and social networks. International Journal
of Entrepreneurial Knowledge, 7(1), 20-30. doi: 10.2478/ijek-2019- 0002
Ojiaku, O.C., Nkamnebe, A.D. & Nwaizugbo, I.C. (2018). Determinants of entrepreneurial
intentions among young graduates: perspectives of push-pull-mooring model. Journal
of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 8(24), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40497-
018-0109-3
Okoye, L. J. (2016). Psychosocial predictors of entrepreneurial intention among Nigerian
graduates. International Journal of Psychology and Counselling, 8(6), 73-80. DOI:
10.5897/IJPC2016.0407
Olanrew
