Abstract

This study examined the role of entrepreneurship in sustainable national development, in view of
persistent challenges such as unemployment, poverty, economic instability, and inadequate socio-
economic development despite numerous government interventions. The main objective of the
study was to assess the extent to which entrepreneurship contributes to sustainable national
development through employment generation, poverty reduction, and economic growth. The study
was anchored on Joseph Schumpeter's Innovation Theory of Entrepreneurship, which explains
entrepreneurship as a driver of economic development through innovation and creative destruction.
A quantitative survey research design was adopted. The population comprised entrepreneurs and
business owners in selected urban areas, while a sample size of 200 respondents was selected using
simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaires designed
on a five-point Likert scale. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics
(frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (multiple
regression analysis). Findings from the study revealed that entrepreneurship has a significant
positive effect on sustainable national development. Specifically, entrepreneurship was found to
significantly enhance employment generation and economic growth, as well as contribute to
poverty reduction and improved living standards. The regression result showed that
entrepreneurship explains 61.5% of variations in sustainable national development, indicating a
strong relationship between the variables. The study concluded that entrepreneurship is a critical
driver of sustainable national development, particularly in addressing unemployment and poverty
challenges. However, its effectiveness is constrained by structural challenges such as inadequate
infrastructure, limited access to finance, and policy inconsistencies. The study recommended
improved access to finance, strengthening of entrepreneurship education, provision of enabling
infrastructure, and stable government policies to enhance entrepreneurial performance and national
development outcomes. The study identified a gap in existing literature, as previous studies have
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largely focused on economic outcomes of entrepreneurship, with limited attention to its broader
contribution to sustainable national development encompassing economic, social, and
environmental dimensions, particularly within the Nigerian context.

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