Author: Folorunso Awoseyila, Ojuotimi Enitan Mafimisebi, Sina Basil Johnson

Doi: 10.26480/faer.02.2025.55.58

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

This study examined the youth perceptions of employment and its effect on entrepreneurship development in Ondo State, Nigeria. Data on 216 youth from two local government areas, with 54 respondents randomly selected using a multistage sampling procedure from four communities in each area. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that respondents’ average monthly income was ₦20,062 with an average age of 27 years. About 58.1% of respondents were interested in additional experience. The perceptions of respondents towards employment revealed the respondents agreed that the current employment status had a negative impact on their situation (x̅ = 4.43), self-employment can overcome poverty (x̅ = 4.22), the government is impervious to their needs (x̅ = 4.09), and acquisition of skills could help them earn more (x̅ = 4.03). Financial restrictions were the most common barrier to work for respondents (37.2%). The study therefore concludes and recommends that youth participation in entrepreneurial development programs should be encouraged.