GENDER DIFFERENCES IN ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTIONS AND ACADEMIC MOTIVATION OF UNDERGRADUATES IN NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FROM A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This study examined gender differences in entrepreneurial intentions and academic motivation of 250 undergraduates in a Private University in Nigeria. The survey research design and systematic random sampling technique were used for data collection and conduct of the study. The participants included 131 male (52%) and 119 female (48%) students. Four hypotheses were raised and tested using the t-test for independent samples. The result revealed significant gender differences in entrepreneurial intentions [t (248) =.2.194, P<.05], intrinsic motivation for achievement [t (248) = -1.279, P<.05], and amotivation [t (248) =2.766, P<.05]. The female
students ( =18.80) reported more intrinsic motivation for achievement than the male students ( =17.52) while the male students reported more entrepreneurial intentions and amotivation ( =14.64; =11.86) than the female students ( =12.60; =9.43). Furthermore, no significant gender difference was found in intrinsic motivation towards stimulating experience [t (248) = -.420, P>.05], intrinsic motivation towards knowledge [t (248) = -.311, P>.05], extrinsic motivation external [t (248) = -1.480, P>.05] extrinsic motivation introjected [t (248) = -1.028, P>.05] and extrinsic motivation identified [t (248) = -1. 512, P>.05]. This study concluded that, unlike their male counterparts, female students are more interested in academic achievement than entrepreneurship. Therefore, it was recommended that efforts be made to encourage female participation in entrepreneurship, which has serious implications for women’s empowerment and the economic development of the nation- state