STIMULATING POSITIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN BUSINESS EDUCATION GRADUATES THROUGH MENTORING TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was designed to examine how mentoring could be used to stimulate positive entrepreneurial consciousness in Business Education Graduates towards the achievement of Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria. The values of mentoring were examined. The study revealed that proper mentoring of business education graduates in entrepreneurship will provide continuous professional development in graduates and assist them cope with the transition process from classroom to the world of work and remove fears of failure associated with private business practice. Case studies of mentoring in two professions, other than businesses education, were examined to have yield positive results. The study concluded that mentoring is a valuable tool in developing business consciousness in graduates. It was recommended that business education graduates should be mandated to serve under practicing businessmen in order to learn the practical intrigues of successful business practice.  This will go a long way to eradicate in graduates, the much desire to rely on government for provision of white collar jobs and give them orientation towards establishing private businesses, without which there will be neither growth nor sustainable economic development in a country.