Chapter One — 1.1 Background to the Study

Over the past decade, the relationship between business networking 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 the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja where operating conditions differ markedly from more developed markets.

the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja 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 business networking, there remains limited consensus on the precise nature of its relationship with business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs, particularly within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Many organizations continue to make decisions about business networking 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 Business Networking on business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
2. To assess the extent to which business networking influences business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs within the study area.
3. To identify the challenges associated with business networking in relation to business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs.
4. To recommend strategies for optimizing business networking in order to improve business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the effect of business networking on business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja?
2. To what extent does business networking influence business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs within the study area?
3. What challenges are associated with business networking in relation to business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs?
4. What strategies can be adopted to optimize business networking 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 the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja seeking to understand how business networking 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 Business Networking and its relationship with business survival rate of university student entrepreneurs within the context of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. 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.