STUDENTS’ MOTIVATION AND PURSUIT OF BIOLOGY-RELATED ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURES AFTER GRADUATION IN ANINRI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ENUGU STATE

At its core, education involves the upbringing and development of individuals so that they can grow, mature, and acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values necessary to integrate and contribute meaningfully to society. As individuals progress through life, they learn to think critically, act with compassion, work diligently, and holistically prepare themselves to enhance both personal and communal well-being. Entrepreneurs play a critical role in shaping the business landscape of any nation. They are seen as key drivers of economic growth and employment creation. Biology, as a field of applied science, is broad in scope and offers a wide range of career opportunities for individuals who have studied it. Biology, commonly understood as the study of life, explores all aspects of living organisms. It is a branch of natural science that delves into the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of living things, as well as their interactions with one another and their environments. Modern biology is built upon four key concepts: evolution, genetics, homeostasis, and cell theory. Recognized globally as a vital academic subject, biology is taught at all levels of education (Pascal, 2017). In the Nigerian education system, it starts as Basic Science in primary and junior secondary schools, becomes Biology in senior secondary schools, and is further specialized into disciplines like botany, zoology, animal science, microbiology, agricultural science, and biochemistry in tertiary institutions. Biology education supports the broader goals of national education, and how it is taught plays a crucial role in achieving these goals. When delivered using interactive, activity-based methods like inquiry learning, biology can significantly enhance students’ intellectual and personal development. Educators at all levels are therefore encouraged to train students who can contribute positively to the economy rather than become dependent on the government for employment and support (Ezema, 2020). This involves teaching students to be innovative, independent, creative, entrepreneurial, and productive. Unfortunately, the way biology is currently taught often falls short of promoting these qualities, limiting the subject's potential to nurture entrepreneurial thinking. Consequently, this study aims to explore motivation as a key factor influencing students’ willingness to pursue biology-related business ventures after graduation, with specific focus on students in Aninri Local Government Area, Enugu State. 1.2 Statement of the Problem In today’s world, organizations operate in a rapidly changing and dynamic environment. This constant evolution requires that all management functions, including education, be regularly re-evaluated and adjusted to remain relevant. Entrepreneurship education is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to start and manage business ventures. It encourages risk-taking and the effective use of both human and material resources to successfully run businesses, including those related to biology. Ezeudu (2018) and Omoifo (2018) both describe entrepreneurship education in the context of biology as a structured process that enables individuals to identify viable commercial opportunities while building their self-confidence, insight, and practical skills to pursue those opportunities. It not only imparts entrepreneurial knowledge but also develops socially beneficial skills. Given the need for graduates who are self-reliant and capable of starting their own businesses—particularly in biology-related fields—this study seeks to investigate how motivation correlates with students’ intentions to establish biology-based enterprises after graduation in Aninri Local Government Area, Enugu State. 1.3 Objective Of the study The general objective of the study is to investigate Motivation as a Determinant of Students’ Pursuit of Biology-Related Entrepreneurial Ventures After Graduation. The specific objective is as follows: i. To examine if motivation drives students towards starting their own biology related business. ii. To find out the relationship between motivation and students embarking on biology related business after graduation. iii. To investigate if motivation will increase students knowledge of biology related business at early stage. iv. To examine if biology related business contributes to the development of Nigeria. 1.4 Research Question The following questions have been prepared for the study: i. Does motivation drives students towards starting their own biology related business? ii. Is there a relationship between motivation and students embarking on biology related business after graduation? iii. Will motivation increase students knowledge of biology related business at early stage? iv. Will biology related business contributes to the development of Nigeria? 1.5 Research Hypothesis The following hypothesis have been formulated for the study: H01: Motivation will not drives students towards starting their own biology related business. H02: Motivation does not increase students knowledge of biology related business at early stage 1.6 Significance of the Study University management: It will bring to the notice of the University management on the need to expose students to various opportunities that can be utilized as a biology student, hence making them independent even as a student. Government: It will bring to to the knowledge of the government on the importance of biology to the citizens and the nation as large. It will further help policy makers in formulating laws that will favour entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs in business. This study will also help the government to see the need to invest in entrepreneurship education and youths empowerment in order to reduce unemployment and crime rate in among youths in the country. Academia: This study will add to existing literature on this topic and will serve as a reference piece to students, scholars, and researchers who may wish to carryout further studies on this topic or related domain in the future. 1.7 Scope and limitation of the Study The study will examine if motivation drives students towards starting their own biology related business. The study will also find out the relationship between motivation and students embarking on biology related business after graduation. The study will further investigate if motivation will increase students knowledge of biology related business at early stage. Lastly, the study will examine if biology related business contributes to the development of Nigeria. Hence, this study will be delimited to the University of Lagos. 1.8 Limitations of the study As with many other research endeavors, this study encountered several challenges. One of the primary difficulties was the lack of readily available and accurate materials relevant to the topic under investigation, as well as the inability to obtain sufficient data. The researcher also faced financial limitations, which created obstacles in sourcing appropriate materials and in carrying out the printing and compilation of questionnaires. In addition, time constraints posed another significant challenge. The need to balance the demands of writing the research with other academic responsibilities made the research process particularly strenuous and demanding for the researcher. 1.9 Definition of Terms Motivation: a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way. Biology: the study of living organisms, divided into many specialized fields that cover their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behaviour, origin, and distribution.