DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAM IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES FOR 21ST-CENTURY SKILL ACQUISITION

<doi>10.24250/jpe/SI/2023/CCU/OCO/CFC/</doi>

Abstract

This study examined digital transformation of business education program for 21st-century skill acquisition in Nigerian universities. Two purposes of the study were employed in this research work. two research questions guided the study and two null hypotheses which were tested at 0.05 level of significance. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised 34 business educators in universities in Anambra state. The entire population was used for the study since the population is manageable and accessible to the researcher. Hence, there was no sampling The instrument used to collect data for the study was a structured questionnaire with two parts; part A contained items on the demography of respondents and part B contained items on the two research questions under the study. The questions were structured on a 4-point rating scale of Strongly Agree (SA); Agree (A), Disagree (D) and Strongly Disagree. The instrument was validated b three experts, two from the Department of Business Education and one from Measurement and Evaluation. Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient was used to test consistency of the instrument and a general coefficient of 0.76. Data collected was analyzed using arithmetic mean and standard deviation while t- test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. When the p value was found to be equal or less than 0.05 alpha levels, the noted difference was said to be significant, therefore, the null hypothesis was be rejected. However, a p value found to be greater than 0.05, the noted difference was insignificant, therefore, the null hypothesis will be accepted. The findings of the study revealed among others that curriculum modernization, administration facilitate 21st century skill acquisition in universities in Anambra state. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommended that curriculum planners should revamp the business education curriculum to emphasize experiential learning and real-world application of knowledge and skills by integrating relevant and future-focused content, students can develop the skills required for success in the 21st century. There should be integration of digital literacy into the core curriculum of business education programs by designing courses and learning activities that explicitly incorporate digital tools and technologies relevant to the field, such as data analysis software, project management platforms, and digital marketing tools.