Effects of Distance Education on the Businesses of Entrepreneurial Students of the Distance Learning Institute, University of Lagos

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is the engine room of most successful economies in the world.  It plays a major role in economic growth and prosperity through its vital role in job creation, savings and investment promotion, skill development and innovation stimulation.  University education has been noted as a key determinant in fostering entrepreneurship among young people.  Since Open and Distance Learning (ODL) renders greater access to higher education than formal education it can be regarded as a veritable tool in propagating entrepreneurship.  A survey was conducted by randomly distributing questionnaires to 250 registered students of the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) of the University of Lagos who were entrepreneurs. 165 copies were returned rightly filled.  Majority of respondents were into trading, manufacturing, travels, restaurants and running of schools, largely in single ownership ventures.  A higher number recorded great impact of DLI programme on their businesses and stressed marketing/sales, personnel management and finance management as aspects of business mostly affected.  Their businesses have been positively affected by their studies at DLI while business knowledge has also helped them in their studies.  A greater number chose distance education (DE) over full-time as first choice and would freely recommend DE to other entrepreneurs.

Key Words: Entrepreneurship, Open and Distance Learning, Distance Education Capacity Building, Entrepreneurs, Higher Education, Distance Learning Institute.