A CRITICAL INVESTIGATION OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS AND THE FACTORS AFFECTING THEIR PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT: The main focus of this study was to a critically investigate women entrepreneurs and the factors affecting their performance in Nigeria using women entrepreneurs in Edo State as a case study. The objective of the study seeks to find out the factors affecting the performance of women entrepreneurs in Edo state. It analyzed the effect of women entrepreneurs on the growth of Edo state economy and Nigeria at large and to examine the ways of empowering Edo state women to become entrepreneurs. Survey design was employed for the study and using convenience sampling method 334 women from Edo State were purposively selected. With the aid of questionnaire, 302 responses were retrieved and validated for study. Data was analyzed using frequency and tables. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square Statistical tool(SPSS). Finding from the study revealed that most women who are into entrepreneur in Edo State face a lot of challenges which poses to be a factor that militate their performance, such factors revolves around  finance for startups, inability to access  loans financial institutions; Socio-cultural factors like customs restriction of asset ownership; Lack of education and adequate skills, proper management  and burdens masterminded by too much domestic/Family engagement.The study therefore recommends women entrepreneurs can be encouraged  By increasing women access to loan from commercial banks; by government creating  financial inclusion programme for women to support their businesses; by State government  encouraging entrepreneurial education and organize skill acquisition for women; By reviewing Customs and Cultural traditions that limits women assets and land ownership and husbands supporting their wives who are in  business.