Entrepreneurship Competencies and Self Reliance Motive Among Business Education Undergraduates in Public Universities in Cross River State

This study investigated the influence of entrepreneurship competencies on the self-reliance motive of Business Education undergraduates in public universities in Cross River State. Specifically, it examined the extent to which digital entrepreneurial competencies, entrepreneurial resilience, and sustainability-oriented entrepreneurial competencies predict students’ self-reliance motive. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and was guided by three research questions and three corresponding null hypotheses. A census of ninety-seven final-year Business Education undergraduates formed the study population. Data were collected using a structured 50-item questionnaire (DECRSO-SRMQ) on a 7-point Likert scale, covering the three independent variables and one dependent variable. Descriptive statistics (item-by-item analysis) and inferential statistics (simple linear regression) were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that students exhibited a high level of digital entrepreneurial competencies (mean = 5.06), though regression analysis showed a weak and negative but significant influence on self-reliance motive (R = .237, p = .020). Entrepreneurial resilience exerted a strong positive influence (R = .562, R² = .316, p < .001), while sustainability-oriented competencies showed a moderate but significant influence (R = .320, R² = .103, p = .001). Self-reliance motive recorded a high overall mean of 5.38. It is concluded that resilience and sustainability-oriented competencies are stronger predictors of self-reliance motive than digital competencies alone. The study recommends integrating hands-on digital entrepreneurship training, resilience-focused simulations, and sustainability-based enterprise modules into Business Education curricula to enhance graduates’ readiness for self-reliant and socially responsible careers.