BUSINESS EDUCATION: A TOOL FOR DEVELOPING CORE MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES AMONG SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES OWNERS' IN FAGGE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KANO STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the role of business education as a practical tool for developing core management competencies among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) owners in Fagge Local Government Area, Kano State. Small businesses are the backbone of the local economy, yet many owners struggle with growth due to significant gaps in key managerial skills such as financial record-keeping, strategic planning, and operational management. The research sought to determine if existing training effectively addresses these needs and to propose a more suitable, locally-relevant programme design. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected through questionnaires from 140 owners and staff of motorized tricycle businesses across fifteen SMEs in Fagge. The findings revealed strong agreement that critical competency gaps exist in financial management, planning, operations, and access to finance. The study also identified a critical disconnect: while the topics of existing training were considered relevant, the programmes themselves were rated as highly inaccessible and logistically unsuitable for business owners and their staff due to lack of time as the up and down of their businesses are always placed first. Consequently, the study proposes key recommendations for a more effective intervention. These include implementing scheduled, practical workshops in accessible community venues, upgrading business education curricula in local institutions to include applied skill-building, and mandating the distribution of practical take-home toolkits to ensure immediate application of learned skills. The results indicate that for business education to successfully develop management competencies, it must evolve from a theoretical exercise into an accessible, practical support system. This shift is essential to equip SME owners with the skills needed to build sustainable, growing enterprises and enhance Fagges local economy.

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