Challenges Facing Rural Women Entrepreneurs in Micro Business in Nigeria

The aim of this study is on the challenges facing rural women entrepreneurs in micro-business in Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: investigate the effect of government business tax on the growth of the micro business of rural women entrepreneurs and determine the effect of formal education on the growth of the micro business of rural women entrepreneurs. Data for the study was generated through a sampling technique, with questionnaire administered to 513 participants selected from local markets in the area studied. The copies of the questionnaire were collected using on the spot collection method and all the 513 respondents turned in their completed questionnaire. The hypotheses generated for the study were tested at 0.05 alpha level using Ordinal Logistic Regression (OLR) analytical technique was used to test hypotheses, using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The findings show that: government business taxes have a negative effect on the growth of the micro business of rural women entrepreneurs (ß = -4.251, p = 0.021 < 0.05), formal education has a positive effect on the growth of the micro business of rural women entrepreneurs (ß = 8.293, p = 0.000 < 0.05). The study concludes that government business tax affects the growth of the micro business of rural women entrepreneurs and formal education will assist in boosting the micro-business of rural women entrepreneurs. The study recommends the formulation of fiscal policies and measures that will create enabling business environment for rural women to develop their micro business.