METACOGNITIVE AWARENESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL DECISION MAKING AMONG NIGERIAN YOUTH

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between metacognitive awareness and entrepreneurial decision making among Nigerian youths. Specifically, the study examined the relationship between self reflection, cognitive monitoring, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial decision making among youth entrepreneurs in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of 1,240 registered youth entrepreneurs with a sample size of 297 respondents was determined using Krejcie and Morgan table, while data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation with the aid of SPSS version 26. The findings revealed that self reflection, cognitive monitoring, and strategic thinking had significant positive relationships with entrepreneurial decision making among Nigerian youths. The study concluded that metacognitive awareness enhances entrepreneurial decision quality and supports effective business judgment among youth entrepreneurs. The study recommended that entrepreneurship development programmes should strengthen self reflection, cognitive monitoring, and strategic thinking skills among Nigerian youths through training, mentorship, and business planning activities.