Introduction 

• Greet the pupils and introduce the topic of the lesson.
• Ask the class what they know about entrepreneurship. Write their responses on the board.
• Explain that today’s lesson will focus on the challenges Nigerian entrepreneurs face.

Engagement Question:

• Ask, “Why do you think some businesses in Nigeria fail?”
• Prompt them to think about different factors affecting businesses (e.g., lack of money, poor roads, and lack of proper training).

Funding:

• Explain that many entrepreneurs in Nigeria struggle to get enough money to start or grow their businesses.
• Discuss different ways businesses try to get funding: bank loans, personal savings, investors, and government grants.
• Show a simple chart or example of how the lack of funding can affect business growth (e.g., inability to purchase equipment or hire staff).

 

Basic Infrastructures:

• Define infrastructure (infrastructure refers to the essential systems, facilities, and resources that support the operation and growth of a business) and discuss examples of basic infrastructures like roads, electricity, and internet access.
• Explain how poor infrastructure (e.g., frequent power outages) makes it difficult for businesses to operate efficiently. Consistent power supply is crucial for small and medium-sized firms to operate machinery and equipment effectively, yet outages hinder their ability to meet production targets and deliver goods and services on schedule, resulting in reduced productivity and loss of competitiveness.
• Provide a real-life example of an entrepreneur facing these challenges in Nigeria (e.g., a small business owner who relies on generators for electricity). 

Example: Ms. Nnena Kalu is the founder of a small manufacturing business called Kalu’s Bakery, based in Lagos, Nigeria. The business relies heavily on consistent power to run ovens, refrigeration units, and other essential equipment. Ms. Kalu often faced long periods of power outages that disrupted the bakery’s operations.

 

Lack of Skills and Values:

• Define skills and values in entrepreneurship (skills refer to the specific abilities, knowledge, and competencies that entrepreneurs use to manage, grow, and sustain their businesses effectively, while values refer to the fundamental beliefs, principles, and ethical standards that guide an entrepreneur’s decisions, actions, and interactions with others, which include hard work, honesty, etc.).
• Discuss how many Nigerian entrepreneurs lack the necessary skills or business values to run a successful business. Many Nigerian entrepreneurs often lack the necessary skills to plan and manage a business effectively. While they may have technical skills in their respective industries (e.g., a tailor or a mechanic), they may not know how to manage finances, hire and manage employees, or develop long-term strategies for growth.

• Give examples of how a lack of skills (e.g., marketing skills) or lack of values (e.g., not respecting customers) can hurt a business.

Example: A Fashion Boutique selling trendy clothing might have a great selection of clothes but lack the marketing skills to effectively reach potential customers. Without digital marketing strategies (e.g., Instagram promotions, Facebook ads, influencer partnerships), the boutique remains largely invisible to a broader audience.