The interplay between entrepreneurship centre, innovative ideas and startup intention to effective entrepreneurship education: Evidence from Nigeria

This study investigates the role of university-based entrepreneurship centres as a critical yet underexplored component of entrepreneurship education, particularly in their capacity to foster startup intention among students. Drawing on Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Theory and Affect-Cognitive Dual Process Theory, the study examines the mediating role of innovative idea generation in the relationship between entrepreneurship centre engagement and startup intention. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 369 final-year students across four colleges at a private university in Nigeria. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the hypothesised relationships. The results reveal that entrepreneurship centre engagement has a significant direct effect on startup intention and a stronger indirect effect through innovative idea generation, indicating partial mediation. These findings underscore the importance of institutional support structures in shaping entrepreneurial outcomes and contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms through which entrepreneurship education fosters intention. The study offers valuable insights for university administrators, policymakers, and the National Universities Commission (NUC) in strengthening entrepreneurship centre design and delivery across higher education institutions in Nigeria.