CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1Â Â Â Â Background to Study
The poverty situation in Nigeria has become so services that it is regarded as one of the major developmental challenges to her economic and social growth. Poverty is antithetical to human rights (Zanna, 2000). Research has it that about 50% of the nation’s population is living in poverty. This means that these Nigerians cannot, with any degree of comfort, afford the basic needs for human living (via food clothing and shelter). It needs not be over-emphasized that this is not only unacceptable, but also pathetic. The leaders on their part have made varied efforts and attempts to check and arrest this phenomenon, fabulous sums of money have been spent over decades of trials. This paper will examine how business education will assist in poverty alleviation. This is to complement government’s effort in this direction. Business education according to Osuala (1996) is a programme of instruction which consists of two parts viz office education which is a vocational education programmed for office careers through initial, refresher programme that provides students with information and competencies which are needed by all in managing personal business affairs and in using the services of business. Office education involves education for office occupations, or the acquisition of skills, attitudes, aptitudes, and knowledge needed to carry out the function of office (Osagie, 1992).
