REINTEGRATION THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP: THE EFFECT OF TECHNICAL SKILLS AND INNOVATION ON SELF-EMPLOYMENT OF EX-CONVICTS IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA
Keywords:
Self-Employment, Entrepreneurship Intention, Technical Skills, Innovation, Ex-Convicts, Gombe StateAbstract
This research investigates the effect of technical skills and innovation on self-employment among ex-convicts in Gombe State in Nigeria, with entrepreneurial intention serving as a mediating factor. The study focuses on individuals who have completed their prison terms and participated in entrepreneurship education programs across correctional centers in Gombe, Billiri, and Tula. Unemployment and discrimination remain major challenges for ex-convicts, often leading to recidivism and social instability. By examining how entrepreneurship education equips ex-convicts with practical skills, innovative capacities, and the mindset to pursue self-employment, the study seeks to highlight pathways for successful reintegration. Drawing on Human Capital Theory, Risk-Taking Theory, the Theory of Planned Behavior, and Desistance Theory, the research emphasizes the role of education in building human capital, fostering innovation, and reducing crime through self-employment. Empirical evidence suggests that technical skills and innovation are critical drivers of entrepreneurial success, while entrepreneurial intention acts as the psychological link that transforms acquired competencies into business ventures. The expected findings will demonstrate that entrepreneurship education significantly enhances self-employment prospects among ex-convicts, reduces recidivism, and strengthens community resilience. The study contributes to academic discourse while offering practical insights for policymakers, correctional authorities, and government agencies. Ultimately, it underscores the transformative potential of entrepreneurship education in empowering ex-convicts, promoting inclusive growth, and advancing Nigeria’s development agenda.
References
Adelaja, A. A. (2021). Entrepreneurial education exposure: a comparative investigation between technical and nontechnical higher education. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 28(5), 711-723.
Agogbua, S. N. & Mgbatogu, C. D. (2022) Entrepreneurial Skills and Self Employment: A T
Theoretical Exposition, International Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Research, 10(2),16-35.
Ajzen, I. (1991a). The theory of planned behaviour, Organizational behavior and human decision processes, 50(2), 179-211.
Ajzen, I. (1991b). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50 (1), 79–211.
Anwar, I., Saleem, I., Islam, K. B., Thoudam, P., & Khan, R. (2020). Entrepreneurial intention among female university students: examining the moderating role of entrepreneurial education. Journal for International Business and Entrepreneurship Development, 12(4), 217-234.
Anwar, I., Thoudam, P., & Saleem, I. (2021). Role of entrepreneurial education in shaping entrepreneurial intention among university students: Testing the hypotheses using mediation and moderation approach. Journal of Education for Business, 1-13.
Baron, R.A., & Tang, J. (2011). The role of entrepreneurs in firm-level innovation: Joint effects of positive affect, creativity, and environmental dynamism. Journal of Business Venturing, 26(1), 49-60.
Dobni, C.B. (2014). Achieving growth through INN: The role of arts education in supporting economic Sustainability. Strategian Applied Research.
Ferrari, A., Cachia, R., & Punie, Y. (2009). Innovation and creativity in education and training in the EU member states: Fostering creative learning and supporting innovative teaching, Innovation and Creativity in E&T in the EU Member States (ICEAC). Luxembourg.
Galindo, M.Á., & Méndez, M.T. (2014). Entrepreneurship, economic growth, and INN: Are feedback effects at work? Journal of Business Research, 67(5), 825-829.
Giordano, P. C. (2016). Mechanisms underlying the desistance process: Reflections on ‘A theory of cognitive transformation’. In J. Shapland, S. Farrall, & A. Bottoms (Eds.), Global perspectives on desistance: Reviewing what we know and looking to the future. Oxford: Routledge. 11-27
Herdjiono, I., Puspa, Y. H., Maulany, G., & ALDY, E. (2017). The factors affecting entrepreneurship intention, http://dspace.vsp.cz/handle/ijek/69
Irankunda, A., Price, G. N., Uzamere, N. E., & Williams, M. J. (2020). Ex-Incarceree/Convict Status: Beneficial for Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship? The American Economist, 65(1), 144-162.
Jiang, X., & Sun, Y. (2015). Study on constructing an education platform for innovation and entrepreneurship of university student. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 9(10), 824-829.
Karimi, S., Biemans, H.J., Lans, T., Chizari, M. & Mulder, M. (2016), “The impact of entrepreneurship education: a study of Iranian students’ entrepreneurial intentions and opportunity identification”, Journal of Small Business Management,54 (1)187-209.
Kirkley, W.W. (2016), “Creating ventures”: decision factors in new venture creation”, Asia pacific journal of innovation and entrepreneurship, 10(1)151-167.
ISSN 3121-9519 BOJEDS Maiden Edition; Url: https://journals.plasu.edu.ng/; E-mail: bojeds@plasu.edu.ng Vol. 1 [1] June, 2026
Nseobot, I.R., & Effiong, A.I. (2019). Entrepreneurship Education on Prison Inmate In Nigeria; Effects on Skills Acquisition for Self-Reliance. International Journal of Organizational Business Excellence,2 (2),71-82.
Odewale, G. T., Abd Hani, S. H., Migiro, S. O., & Adeyeye, P. O. (2019). Entrepreneurship Education and Students views on Self-Employment among International Postgraduate Students in Universiti Utara Malaysia. Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 22(1), 1-15.
Olaniyan, D. A. & Okemakinde, T. (2008). Human capital theory: Implication for educational development. European Journal of Scientific Research, 24(2), 157-162.
Olutuase, S. O., Brijlal, P., & Yan, B. (2023). Model for stimulating entrepreneurial skills through entrepreneurship education in an African context. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 35(2), 263-283
Powell, A. (2017). An Analysis of Entrepreneurial Education in the Criminal Justice System
Storen, L.A. (2014). Entrepreneurship in higher education: Impacts on graduates’ entrepreneurial intentions, activity and learning outcome. Education+Training, 56(8/9), 697-715.
Sagar, S. (2024). Entrepreneurship: Catalyst for innovation and economic growth. Entrepreneurship: Catalyst for Innovation and Economic Growth, 9(1), 12.
Szifris, K., Fox, C., & Bradbury, A (2018). A Realist Model of Prison Education, Growth, and Desistance: A New Theory. Journal of Prison Education and Reentry, 5(1), 41-62.
Yerrabati, S. (2022). Self-employment and economic growth in developing countries: is more self-employment better? Journal of Economic Studies, 49(2), 315-329.
Yu J., Tang YM Chau KY, Nazar R, Ali. S, Iqbal W. (2022) Role of solar based renewable energy in mitigating CO2 emissions: evidence from quantile-on-quantile estimation. Renew Energy 182:216-226 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.10.002
Yumei H. Iqbal W, Nurunnabi M, Abbas M Jingde W, Chaudhry IS (2021) Nexus between corporate social responsibility and firm’s perceived performance evidence from SME sector of developing economics. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28:2132-2145. https://doi.org
Zhou, M., & Xu, H. (2012). A Review of entrepreneurship education for college students in China. Administrative Sciences, 2(4), 82-98.
