Many youths aim for white-collar jobs rather than self-employment, leading to increased graduate unemployment. Many scholars agree that the education system focuses on job acquisition instead of job creation, leading to an oversupply of graduates compared to available jobs. Environmental and personal factors shape learning, while higher education pertains to post-secondary training. Higher education is essential for personal growth and fosters economic, technological, and cultural change. Self-reliance in education underscores the significance of students developing skills. Entrepreneurial attributes, creativity, risk-taking, and proactivity, are the primary focus of the study. These attributes are trends linked to entrepreneurship that promote skill development and nurture self-reliance.
A total of 294 participants, 277 students and 17 staff members participated in this study. It used a programmatic descriptive correlation design. Data were analysed using SPSS 26 and NVivo 14. The PPMC method was used to evaluate the variable relationship between independent and dependent variables. The study identified four key research questions and found a significant prevalence of low risk-taking behaviours among students.
The findings showed moderate levels of creativity and proactivity in this cohort. The findings also revealed that some institutions were involved in fundraising ventures through practical lessons where made items were sold within and outside institutions although most higher learning received less funding from the government which affected students to be practical-oriented resulting into self-reliance being impacted negatively. The final results of three hypotheses indicated the two variables having significant positive relationship. The aforementioned phenomenon negatively impacted students’ capacity to exhibit self-reliance post-graduation.
This study on self-reliance will benefit students, the community, and the nation by reducing dependence on external entities. It will aid policy-makers in planning the resources colleges and universities need to enhance student learning and serve as a valuable reference for academics conducting similar studies. Further investigation is necessary to determine whether former students demonstrate self-reliance or continue to rely on benefactors for assistance. Moreover, educators must work hand in hand with their community to curb certain behaviours in young people. Both lecturers and Students should get involved in fundraising ventures within and outside institutions to promote self-reliance.