ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITIES OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMEs) ANO THEIR IMPLICATIONS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN OTA-METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Tire purpose of this research work was to look at tire roles of entrepreneurship via SM£s in a developing economy like Nigeria. The study addressed the following: to find out whether the establishment of SMEs has comributed to infrastructural developmem; to examine tire impact of entrepreneurs/rip in employme111 generation; and to examine if the establishment of SMEs has led to improved standard of living. Two Hundred and eighteen (218) SME operators were administered questionnaire. Besides, four hvpotheses werefomwlared and tested. Data were analysed by regression analvsis; the findings indicate that emrepreneurslrip is a major contributor to infrastructural development, employmellt generation, and improvement of standard living. It was concluded that entrepreneurzal activities are significant predictors of economic developme/11 in Ota· metropolis, Nigerza. It is therefore recommended that policy makers should pay al/ention to the SMEs sector through the variou.f policies and programs, in form of assistance such as providing low interest funds and training programs. Consequently, po~·erry which is a threat to global prosperiTy and national economic development, Y>mdd bt' alleviate