Authors : Rita Akpan

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 11 - November

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/4w8xa46w

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/bdfbnwne

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25nov1562

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Abstract : Youth unemployment continues to hinder Nigeria’s economic progress, particularly as universities are expected to equip graduates with the competencies required for success in an increasingly competitive labour market. While technical knowledge remains vital, recent evidence demonstrates that soft skills communication, organizational capability, and problem- solving play a decisive role in preparing young people for entrepreneurial careers. This study explored how structured soft-skills interventions strengthen students’ readiness for self-employment at the University of Calabar (UNICAL). A survey design was used, and data were drawn from 200 randomly selected staff and students out of a population of 4,421. A validated questionnaire served as the main data-collection tool, and independent t-tests were conducted to examine the study hypotheses. Findings revealed that communication competence, organizational skills, and problem-solving abilities significantly enhance students’ preparedness for self-employment. The study therefore concludes that integrating structured soft-skills development programmes can substantially improve entrepreneurial capacity among youth. It recommends that higher education institutions embed soft-skills training, experiential learning, and entrepreneurship support systems into their academic environment to expand self-employment prospects, reduce youth unemployment, and promote regional economic development.

Keywords : Soft Skills, Entrepreneurship, Youth Empowerment, Self-Employment, Higher Education, UNICAL.

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