The Impact of Entrepreneurship Skill Acquisition on the Economic Empowerment of Youths in Southern Senatorial District, Taraba State

This study examines the impact of entrepreneurship skill acquisition on the economic empowerment of youths in the Southern Senatorial District of Taraba State, Nigeria. In light of persistent youth unemployment and limited formal job opportunities, entrepreneurship has been promoted as a viable strategy for enhancing self-reliance and economic inclusion. The study employed a descriptive survey design and drew data from a sample of 384 respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling technique across three local government areas: Donga, Takum, and Wukari. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics via SPSS version 26. The findings indicate that entrepreneurship training significantly enhances youth capacity for income generation, business ownership, and financial independence. Respondents reported improved decision-making confidence and increased access to economic opportunities following their participation in skill acquisition programmes. The study concludes that entrepreneurship skill acquisition is an effective mechanism for promoting youth economic empowerment in underserved regions. It recommends the integration of accessible start-up capital and post-training mentorship to reinforce the sustainability of entrepreneurship outcomes. These findings have important implications for policy formulation, programme design, and development planning aimed at addressing youth economic marginalization in similar socio-economic settings.