Abstract:

This study compared entrepreneurial intentions of STEM and non- STEM undergraduates of a private University in Nigeria. The survey research design and systematic random sampling technique were used in data collection and selection of participants. A total of 250 students (126 STEM and 124 non-STEM) across the five academic levels (100-500) participated in this study. Fifty-two percent (52%) of the participants were males and forty-eight percent (48%) were females. Four hypotheses were raised and tested using t-test for independent samples. The result revealed significant difference in entrepreneurial capacity [t (248) = .084, P<.01] and entrepreneurial intentions [t (248) = 2.397, P<.01] of STEM and non-STEM students. Furthermore, the result showed that non-STEM students reported higher entrepreneurial capacity [non-STEM (=12.19); STEM (=12.13)] and entrepreneurial intentions [non-STEM (=14.79); STEM (=12.56)]. Conversely, no significant difference was found in STEM and non-STEM students’ capacity for developing new products and services [t (248) =1.387, P>.05] and attraction to entrepreneurship [t (248) = 1.387, P>.05]. This study concluded that although STEM and non-STEM students were similar in their entrepreneurial attraction and capacity for developing new products/services, non-STEM students displayed more entrepreneurial capacity and intentions. Therefore, it was recommended that equal attention and opportunities be given to STEM and non-STEM students for entrepreneurship training and capacity building towards increased competitiveness and sustainable development in Nigeria.