This study examines the impact of inventory management practices on the performance of SMEs manufacturing sub-sector in Oyo State, Nigeria. A survey of 129 randomly selected from three (3) cities such as Ibadan, Ogbomoso and Oyo town. The data collection instrument was a structured questionnaire designed for the study. Data were analyzed with the aid of descriptive statistics such as simple percentage and mean. Results reveal that inventory management practices have positive and significant impact on the performance of SMEs manufacturing sub sector. Furthermore, results also reveal that delay in delivery of materials, use of manual inventory management system/lack of technology, lack of professional personnel, holding too much/too little inventory, purchase of materials with a near expiration date, insufficient funds for procurement and use of outdated storage facilities are the major factors affecting effective inventory management practices in SMEs manufacturing sub-sector in Oyo State, Nigeria. Subsequently, the study recommends that SMEs operators/ mangers should be encouraged to adopt information technology in inventory management. Also, SMEs operators and managers should be encouraged to constantly attend conferences, seminars and workshops in Nigeria and abroad in order to improve their skills on inventory management.

SMEs in the textile sub-sector are the main players in domestic economic activities, especially as providers of job opportunities for unemployed youths. However, the sector has been devilled by the high influx of counterfeit and smuggled goods which have resulted in low patronage of Nigerian-made textiles materials. This study, therefore, seeks to appraise the factors influencing SMEs in the textile sub-sector in Yoruba Land, Southwest, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select 50 indigenous textile entrepreneurs from Iseyin, Oyo State, Nigeria. The study employed primary data, sourced through structured questionnaire Descriptive statistics such as frequency, simple percentage, and mean were used to analyze the data. Results reveal that the major motivating factors are; employment generation, to have control over life, opportunity to create a fortune, high job security, and impressive profit attraction. Results also reveal that the high influx of counterfeit and smuggled goods are most factors affecting the performance of SMEs in textiles in Nigeria. Subsequently, the study recommends that the federal government should earmark a substantial amount to bail out the SMEs in the textile sub-sector and also to ban the importation of textiles. This will ultimately drive many young graduates into the sector.

The study examined the extent to which entrepreneurship education influence entrepreneurial competence and entrepreneurial intentions among the students with specific reference to the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Nigeria. Purposive random sampling technique was used to select 85 final year students from all the three Departments (Business Administration and Management, Marketing and Purchasing and supply) in the Faculty of Management Studies. The questionnaire was employed to collect data and scales measuring entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial competence, and entrepreneurial intentions. Mean, chi-square, Pearson Moment correlation and ordinary least square (OLS) method of estimation were used to analyse the data. The result revealed that entrepreneurship education has a significant effect on entrepreneurial competence and entrepreneurial intentions among students. This implies that entrepreneurship education is an antidote to poverty, insecurity, unemployment and hunger that have been the order of the day in Nigeria. Consequently, all stakeholders in the education industry should endeavour to ensure that entrepreneurship education is properly funded and also Federal government should establish an entrepreneurial financial institution that will provide financial assistance and advisory services to graduates and non-graduates that pass through entrepreneurship education and have viable feasibility study and zeal of establishing entrepreneurial ventures.

This research investigates how the dimensions of Supply Chain Information Technology (SCIT) affect the performance of the manufacturing industry, specifically focusing on selected Nigerian manufacturing companies. The study employed a targeted sampling technique to select 20 respondents from the Department of Procurement and Logistics of each of the five chosen manufacturing companies, resulting in a sample size of 100 respondents. Data was collected from the respondents using a structured questionnaire, and path analysis was employed to analyze the collected data. The findings demonstrate that SCIT dimensions, namely ERP, CRM, EDI, and AAS, have a positive and significant correlation with organizational performance. This association is observed in terms of strategic decision-making, improved understanding of customer preferences, needs, and behaviors, and enhanced data accuracy and order processing efficiency. It can be concluded that implementing SCIT in the manufacturing industry will result in increased operational efficiency, better decision-making, better collaboration, and greater supply chain transparency. This enables managers to proactively address challenges, optimize resources, and drive performance improvements across the supply chain.

This study examines the relationship between strategic outsourcing and the performance of insurance companies in Nigeria with specific reference to the selected insurance companies. Purposive sampling technique was used to select top 10 best ranking insurance companies in Nigeria and five (5) staff members were select from each 10 insurance company, totaling 50 respondents as a sample size for the study. A structured closed ended questionnaire designed for the study was used to collect the data from the respondents. Data analysis was performed with the aid of frequencies, percentages and correlation analysis. Result reveals that strategic outsourcing has significant relationship with the performance of insurance companies in Nigeria. The finding also establishes that core functions are largely arranged internally while security services, advertising and marketing, recruitment services and catering services functions are fully outsourced by most companies in Nigeria. Finding also reveals that company's attachment to its brand and processes; inability to develop clear objectives; inadequate supporting infrastructure; absence of performance measures and lack of top management support are the major challenges confronting the implementation of strategic outsourcing in most of the insurance companies in Sola et al.; SAJSSE, 2(2): 1-8, 2018; Article no.SAJSSE.45105 2 Nigeria. Subsequently, the study recommends that management should give maximum support for the implementation of the strategic outsourcing and enlightenment programme on the benefits of strategic outsourcing should be organised for all stakeholders to reduce the chances of resistance. Original Research Article