Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Over the past decade, the relationship between integration of entrepreneurship education and student engagement has become a subject of considerable debate among scholars and industry practitioners alike, particularly within the context of the Nigerian Capital Market where operating conditions differ markedly from more developed markets.

the Nigerian Capital Market presents a useful setting for examining this relationship precisely because the conditions there — structural, regulatory, and behavioural — differ from those typically assumed in the broader literature, most of which draws on evidence from more developed economies.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite a growing body of literature on integration of entrepreneurship education, there remains limited consensus on the precise nature of its relationship with student engagement, particularly within the Nigerian Capital Market. Many organizations continue to make decisions about integration of entrepreneurship education without a clear, evidence-based understanding of how those decisions ultimately affect student engagement. This gap between practice and empirical understanding is the central problem this study seeks to address.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the effect of Integration of Entrepreneurship Education on student engagement in the Nigerian Capital Market.
2. To assess the extent to which integration of entrepreneurship education influences student engagement within the study area.
3. To identify the challenges associated with integration of entrepreneurship education in relation to student engagement.
4. To recommend strategies for optimizing integration of entrepreneurship education in order to improve student engagement.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the effect of integration of entrepreneurship education on student engagement in the Nigerian Capital Market?
2. To what extent does integration of entrepreneurship education influence student engagement within the study area?
3. What challenges are associated with integration of entrepreneurship education in relation to student engagement?
4. What strategies can be adopted to optimize integration of entrepreneurship education in order to improve student engagement?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to a range of stakeholders. For policymakers and regulators, the findings offer evidence to guide the design of frameworks that support healthier outcomes around student engagement. For managers and practitioners within the Nigerian Capital Market, the study provides practical insight into how integration of entrepreneurship education can be better managed. Finally, it contributes to the academic literature on curriculum studies by extending existing knowledge into a specific empirical context, and offers a reference point for future researchers.

1.6 Scope of the Study

In terms of scope, this MSc study confines itself to the Nigerian Capital Market, focusing specifically on how integration of entrepreneurship education relates to student engagement within that setting. Findings are interpreted within these boundaries rather than as universal claims applicable to every organization or market.