Rural Entrepreneurship Development and Poverty Alleviation: A Review of Conceptual Issues

This paper examines Nigeria's growing poverty problem, particularly in rural areas, which account for 52.1% of the country's population. Over 108 million out of 206 million people are in poverty. The paper suggests that sustainable poverty alleviation is a joint effort between public and private sectors. It advocates for promoting entrepreneurship development as a sustainable solution to this endemic and pandemic issue. The paper explores key issues related to entrepreneurship and its relationship with rural development and poverty alleviation. It also discusses the determinants of rural entrepreneurship and the environment conducive to its development. The paper also lists generic constraints faced by rural enterprises and emphasizes the importance of rural enterprise development in Nigeria. The conclusion is that promoting entrepreneurship is crucial for accelerating development in rural areas. This approach stimulates local entrepreneurial talent, creates jobs, adds economic value, and keeps scarce resources within the community