BARRIERS AND ENABLERS TO THE INTEGRATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study systematically examined the barriers and enablers to the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in entrepreneurship education and their implications to the economic growth in Nigeria. The studies for the review were selected from peer reviewed literature and relevant scholarly sources that were published between 2020 and 2026 and focused on Nigeria. The studies were selected and a synthesis of the studies was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach and thematic analysis. The major themes that surfaced were- barriers to integration of AI, enablers to integration of AI, AI integration and entrepreneurial human capital development, and implications for economic growth. The results revealed that the access to digital infrastructure, insufficient funding, lower competence of educators with AI, outdated curricula, and lower institutional support were significant obstacles. On the other hand, curriculum reform, faculty development, improved infrastructure, institutional commitment and industry education collaboration came out as key enablers. The synthesis also indicated that the effective application of AI can enhance entrepreneurial capacity, such as digital skills, problem solving, strategic thinking, innovation and adaptability and also has broader implications for employability and enterprise performance and productivity. The study ends with the fact that the focus should move from just promoting the use of AI towards applying AI to create entrepreneurial human capital. It suggests better digital infrastructure, AI capacities building for faculty members, reform of the curriculum and better collaborations between education and industry for the benefit of entrepreneurship education to sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.