EDUCATION, ENTERPRISE, AND ECONOMIC REFORM: MAPPING A STRATEGIC CONVERGENCE FOR NIGERIA'S DEVELOPMENT

This paper examines the strategic convergence of educational psychology, economic reform, and entrepreneurship within the African development context, with a focused lens on Nigeria. Drawing on recent literature, policy analysis, and empirical case studies, it explores how psychological constructs—such as motivation, resilience, and social learning—interact with economic structures and educational systems to shape entrepreneurial capacity. The study integrates theories of cognitive development, human capital, and innovation-driven growth to demonstrate how psychologically enriched education, when aligned with inclusive economic policies and mentorship-driven ecosystems, can transform Nigeria’s youth bulge into a demographic dividend. Case-based evidence from Nigeria highlights the impact of entrepreneurship education initiatives, teacher training reforms, and youth-focused funding programs, while also interrogating persistent structural barriers such as credit access and policy instability. The paper concludes with actionable recommendations for embedding entrepreneurial psychology into curricula, reforming teacher education, expanding ecosystem funding, and strengthening policy coherence—offering a holistic framework for resilience, inclusion, and sustainable development. Keywords: Entrepreneurial Psychology, Youth Empowerment, Educational Reform, Economic Inclusion, Sustainable Development