CREATING A PATHWAY FOR JOBS IN NIGERIA: THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

This study investigates how women's small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria can create jobs and boost the economy. It explores the factors that motivate women to start and run their businesses and the challenges they encounter in the process. The study uses a qualitative research design and secondary sources of data, such as books, journals, reports, and websites. The study also applies Kirzner’s (1999) theory of competition to analyse the data. The study reveals that women entrepreneurs are influenced by their talents, reasons, and values, but they also face difficulties, such as poor infrastructure, lack of security, and low incentives. The study concludes that the government should improve the infrastructural facilities, protect the women's development centres, and provide incentives and motivation for women entrepreneurs. The study contributes to the literature on women's entrepreneurship and job creation in Nigeri