Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Over the past decade, the relationship between digital skills acquisition and business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs has become a subject of considerable debate among scholars and industry practitioners alike, particularly within the context of Anambra State where operating conditions differ markedly from more developed markets.

Anambra State 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 digital skills acquisition, there remains limited consensus on the precise nature of its relationship with business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs, particularly within Anambra State. Many organizations continue to make decisions about digital skills acquisition without a clear, evidence-based understanding of how those decisions ultimately affect business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs. 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 Digital Skills Acquisition on business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs in Anambra State.
2. To assess the extent to which digital skills acquisition influences business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs within the study area.
3. To identify the challenges associated with digital skills acquisition in relation to business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs.
4. To recommend strategies for optimizing digital skills acquisition in order to improve business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the effect of digital skills acquisition on business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs in Anambra State?
2. To what extent does digital skills acquisition influence business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs within the study area?
3. What challenges are associated with digital skills acquisition in relation to business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs?
4. What strategies can be adopted to optimize digital skills acquisition in order to improve business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs?

1.5 Significance of the Study

Beyond its academic contribution to the field of entrepreneurship, this study has practical value for management teams within Anambra State seeking to understand how digital skills acquisition translates into measurable outcomes around business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs. It is equally useful to students and future researchers looking for a localized empirical reference on this relationship.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to an examination of Digital Skills Acquisition and its relationship with business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs within the context of Anambra State. It reflects a clearly defined scope of analysis and relies on data and perspectives available within that scope; generalizing the findings beyond this specific context should therefore be done with appropriate caution.