SKILL ACQUISITION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED BAKERIES IN AUCHI, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined skill acquisition and entrepreneurial performance of selected bakeries in Auchi, Edo State, specific objectives were to; examine the relationship between technical skill and the performance of Bakeries, examine the relationship between digital marketing skill and the performance of Bakeries and to examine the relationship between managerial skill and the performance of bakery. The study population consisted of 104 employees drawn from five Bakeries-Poly Bread Bakery, S.S Bread Bakery, I.K Bread Bakery, Zelzal Bread Bakery, and Arat Bread Bakery-using a census sampling technique. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 24. The findings revealed that technical skills significantly enhanced product quality and efficiency, digital marketing skills improved customer reach and profitability, while managerial skills strengthened organizational effectiveness and productivity. The study concludes that skill acquisition is a key driver of entrepreneurial performance among bakeries in Auchi. It recommends that bakery owners should strengthen technical training for staff, adopt digital marketing strategies to expand market reach, and improve managerial competence through effective capacity-building programs.