INFLUENCE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BUSINESS EDUCATION CURRICULUM IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGER STATE

Abstract

This study examined the availability, utilization, and adequacy of workforce development resources for effective implementation of the Business Education curriculum in the Tertiary Institutions in Niger State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, with a population consisting of 50 Business Education lecturers and 200 students. A purposive sample of 50 respondents (5 lecturers and 45 final-year students) was selected. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Influence of Workforce Development Resources on the Implementation of Business Education Curriculum in Tertiary Institutions (IWFDRIBECITI), validated by experts in Business Education, the reliability coefficient was determined using Cronbach’s Alpha, with a threshold of 0.70. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation for research questions and t-tests for hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that while some workforce development resources such as ICT laboratories, internet-connected computers, and modern office equipment are moderately available, the utilization, particularly of business simulation software, remains low. Moreover, although resources align with curriculum objectives and industry trends, they are insufficient to meet the needs of the growing student population. Hypothesis testing revealed no significant relationship between the availability of resources and curriculum implementation, but there was a significant difference in perception between lecturers and students regarding resource utilization. The study recommends the provision of more updated workforce development resources and improved integration of modern technologies in the Business Education curriculum.