Building Entrepreneurial Capacity through AI-Integrated Higher Education for Sustainable Economic Growth in Nigeria
The incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into higher education has become a significant driver of change, transforming entrepreneurship education and supporting sustainable economic advancement. This study explored the influence of AI-integrated curricula on the development of entrepreneurial skills and associated outcomes among university students in Nigeria. Drawing on the principles of Human Capital Theory and the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Framework, the research examined the extent to which AI-supported teaching and learning approaches contribute to entrepreneurial competence and broader economic benefits. A quantitative cross-sectional survey approach was employed, and the data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) supported by bootstrapping techniques. The findings demonstrated that AI curriculum integration exerts a substantial and positive effect on entrepreneurial skills development (β = 0.723, p < 0.001). In addition, entrepreneurial skills development was found to significantly enhance entrepreneurial intention, venture creation readiness, employability readiness, and innovation capability, with all relationships significant at p < 0.001. The results further showed that innovation capability, venture creation readiness, entrepreneurial intention, employability readiness, and AI curriculum integration significantly influence sustainable economic growth, collectively accounting for 71.6% of the variance in the construct (R² = 0.716). Moreover, the mediation analysis revealed that entrepreneurial skills development plays a crucial intermediary role between AI curriculum integration and entrepreneurial outcomes, suggesting that the benefits of AI are largely realized through the enhancement of students’ entrepreneurial competencies. The study concludes that integrating AI into Nigerian university curricula significantly improves entrepreneurial capabilities, increases employability potential, and strengthens readiness for venture creation, thereby fostering sustainable economic growth.
Kabir, S., & Sanusi, F. (2026). Building Entrepreneurial Capacity through AI-Integrated Higher Education for Sustainable Economic Growth in Nigeria. International Journal of Global Humanities and Management Insights (IJGHMI), 2(2), 76–89. https://doi.org/10.63665/ijghmi-y2f2a008
This study concludes that integrating Artificial Intelligence into higher education curricula significantly strengthens entrepreneurial capacity among university students in Nigeria. The findings demonstrate that AI curriculum integration positively influences entrepreneurial skills development, which subsequently improves entrepreneurial intention, venture creation readiness, employability readiness, and innovation capability. The results further indicate that these entrepreneurial outcomes contribute significantly to sustainable economic growth. The study highlights that AI-enhanced education serves as a strategic mechanism for developing human capital and strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems. Through AI-supported learning environments, students gain practical competencies in innovation, problem-solving, business decision-making, and digital entrepreneurship. Therefore, higher education institutions should prioritize AI integration into curriculum development, invest in digital infrastructure, and provide capacity-building programmes for educators and students. By creating technology-driven learning environments, universities can prepare graduates for emerging economic opportunities and contribute to innovation-led sustainable development in Nigeria.
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