Impact of Creativity, Innovation, Self-Efficacy, and Opportunity Recognition on Entrepreneurial Intentions among Tertiary Institution Students in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract: The study examines the impact of creativity, innovation, self-efficacy, andopportunity recognition on entrepreneurial intention among tertiary institution students in OndoState. A quantitative and cross-sectional research design was employed to test a priorihypotheses and ensure analytical rigor through the use of statistical techniques. The studypopulation comprised final-year students who had undergone formal entrepreneurial educationand were therefore positioned as potential entrepreneurs at a critical career decision point.Participants were drawn from the Departments of Business Administration/Business Educationat Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akoko;Federal Polytechnic Ile-Oluji; and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo. Using a simple randomsampling technique, a sample of 346 respondents was selected from a population of 2,600registered students, as determined by the Taro-Yamane formula. Data were analyzed usingStructural Equation Modeling via Smart PLS. The findings reveal that all examined variablesare positively and statistically significantly correlated with predicting entrepreneurial intention.Innovation emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by self-efficacy, creativity, andopportunity recognition. The study concludes that strengthening these attributes throughentrepreneurship education can significantly enhance entrepreneurial intention among tertiarystudents. The study recommended that tertiary institutions should redesign entrepreneurshipcurricula to emphasize experiential learning, creativity development, and innovation-drivenprojects, such as business simulations, design thinking, and problem-based learning.