SKILL ACQUISITION FOR CHEMPRENEURSHIP AND THE REALIZATION OF THE 9-3-4 CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The high rate of unemployment among school leavers in Nigeria is really alarming. Even with the new 9-3-4 system of education aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment by producing self-reliant and self-employable graduates, the youths are still seen roaming about the streets in search of non-existent white-collar jobs. With this increase in youth unemployment, such anti-social activities as robbery, money making-rituals and kidnapping have also increased. This paper examined the role and benefits of equipping Nigerian youths, especially secondary school chemistry students with combination of entrepreneurial and chemistry process skills to graduate them as chempreneurs. Some changes like inputting the production of such useful materials as candles, matches, chalk and paints during practicals into the curriculum to achieve this objective are discussed. Suggestions, as organizing regular workshops and trainings for chemistry teachers are also discussed.