PROPOSED EXPERIENTIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP FRAMEWORK (PEEF) FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION IN NIGERIAN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

Entrepreneurship education is an important driver of innovation and economic growth. The traditional approach ignored application, thus leaving students unprepared for real-world challenges. Using a qualitative literature review method, this study systematically analysed 20 peer-reviewed articles published between 2005 and 2025. The reviewed studies were drawn from diverse contexts but focused primarily on entrepreneurship education practices in developing economies, with particular attention to Sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria as a focal context. Based on this synthesis, the authors proposed an Experiential Entrepreneurship Framework (PEEF). PEEF integrates experiential learning principles into entrepreneurship education, prioritising practical experience, mentorship, group work, and reflective practice to develop core entrepreneurial skills such as opportunity identification, strategic choice, innovation, and resilience. By linking practice and theory, this framework equips learners with cognitive and practical skills needed to thrive in fast-paced business environments. The study has policy, institutional, and pedagogical implications, advocating competency-based and outcome-oriented entrepreneurship programmes. The study recommends applying PEEF in Nigerian higher institutions to validate its relevance and effectiveness, thereby contributing to the development of adaptive, competent, and innovative entrepreneurs capable of thriving in complex entrepreneurial ecosystems.