Table of Contents
Title Page
Abstract
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objectives of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Limitations of the Study
1.9 Organization of the Study
1.10 Definition of Terms
1.10.1 Business Incubation
1.10.2 Business Incubation Programmes
1.10.3 Startup
1.10.4 Startup Growth
1.10.5 Mentorship and Training
1.10.6 Infrastructure and Technological Resources
1.10.7 Networking and Market Support
References
Chapter Two: Review of Related Literature
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Theoretical Review
2.2.1 Resource-Based View Theory
2.2.2 Social Capital Theory
2.2.3 Dynamic Capabilities Theory
2.3 Conceptual Review
2.3.1 Concept of Business Incubation
2.3.2 Concept of Business Incubation Programmes
2.3.3 Concept of Startup
2.3.4 Concept of Startup Growth
2.3.5 Concept of Mentorship and Training
2.3.6 Concept of Infrastructure and Technological Resources
2.3.7 Concept of Networking and Market Support
2.3.8 Concept of Innovation in Startups
2.3.9 Concept of Entrepreneurial Support Ecosystem
2.3.10 Concept of Incubation Programme Effectiveness
2.4 Empirical Review
References
Chapter Three: Research Methodology
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Area of the Study
3.3 Population of the Study
3.4 Sample Size Determination
3.5 Sampling Technique
3.6 Nature of Respondents
3.7 Sources of Data
3.8 Instrument for Data Collection
3.9 Operationalisation of Variables
3.10 Validity of the Instrument
3.11 Reliability of the Instrument
3.12 Method of Data Collection
3.13 Method of Data Analysis
3.14 Decision Rule
3.15 Ethical Considerations
3.16 Summary of the Methodology
Chapter Four: Data Analysis and Interpretation
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Response Rate
4.2 Demographic Characteristics of Respondents
4.3 Descriptive Analysis of Research Questions
4.3.1 Mentorship and Training (Research Question 1)
4.3.2 Infrastructure and Technological Resources (Research Question 2)
4.3.3 Networking and Market Support (Research Question 3)
4.3.4 Startup Growth (Dependent Variable)
4.4 Test of Hypotheses
4.5 Discussion of Findings
4.6 Summary of Findings
4.7 Conclusion
Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations
5.0 Introduction
5.1 Summary of the Study
5.2 Summary of Findings
5.2.1 Effect of Mentorship and Training on Startup Growth
5.2.2 Effect of Infrastructure and Technological Resources on Startup Growth
5.2.3 Effect of Networking and Market Support on Startup Growth
5.2.4 Combined Effect of Incubation Programme Dimensions on Startup Growth
5.2.5 Startup Growth Outcomes
5.2.6 Areas Requiring Improvement
5.3 Conclusion
5.4 Recommendations
5.4.1 Strengthening Mentorship and Training Programmes
5.4.2 Enhancing Infrastructure and Technological Resources
5.4.3 Improving Networking and Market Support
5.4.4 Promoting Female Participation in Incubation Programmes
5.4.5 Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation
5.4.6 Expanding Access to Incubation Programmes
5.4.7 Enhancing Access to Funding
5.4.8 Fostering Collaboration with Universities and Research Institutions
5.5 Contribution to Knowledge
5.6 Limitations of the Study
5.7 Suggestions for Further Research
5.8 Final Concluding Remark
Questionnaire
Section A: Demographic Information
Section B: Mentorship and Training
Section C: Infrastructure and Technological Resources
Section D: Networking and Market Support
Section E: Startup Growth
Section F: Open-Ended Questions
ABSTRACT
This study assessed the effect of business incubation programmes on startup growth, using the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) as a case study. Despite the growing importance of startups to employment creation, technological innovation, and economic diversification in Nigeria, many startups continue to face challenges such as inadequate access to finance, limited managerial and technical skills, weak market linkages, and insufficient mentorship, which hinder their survival and sustainable growth. Business incubation programmes have been introduced to address these constraints by providing startups with mentorship, training, infrastructure, technological resources, networking opportunities, and market support. However, questions remain regarding whether these programmes translate into measurable improvements in startup growth. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the effect of mentorship and training provided through NITDA business incubation programmes on startup growth; to assess the effect of access to infrastructure and technological resources provided by NITDA incubation programmes on startup growth; and to determine the effect of networking and market-support opportunities provided through NITDA business incubation programmes on startup growth. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were formulated in line with these objectives. The study was anchored on the Resource-Based View Theory, Social Capital Theory, and Dynamic Capabilities Theory. A descriptive survey research design with a cross-sectional approach was adopted. The population of the study comprised startup founders, owners, and principal representatives who participated in NITDA incubation and digital innovation programmes, with an illustrative population of 200 beneficiaries from which a sample size of 133 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula at a 5% level of precision. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire, while secondary data were obtained from academic journals, textbooks, and NITDA documents. The instrument was subjected to face and content validity, and its reliability was determined through a pilot test using Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient. Out of 133 questionnaires administered, 120 valid responses were retrieved, representing a response rate of 90.2%. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, while multiple regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that mentorship and training (t = 5.029, p = 0.000), infrastructure and technological resources (t = 4.139, p = 0.000), and networking and market support (t = 4.062, p = 0.000) each have a significant positive effect on startup growth. The three dimensions of business incubation programmes collectively explained 70.9% of the variance in startup growth (R Square = 0.709), and the regression model was statistically significant (F = 95.347, p = 0.000). All three null hypotheses were rejected. The study concluded that business incubation programmes, as implemented by NITDA, have a significant positive effect on startup growth in Nigeria, contributing to business survival, revenue growth, customer expansion, employment generation, and innovation. The study recommended that NITDA should strengthen mentorship and training programmes, expand infrastructure and technological resources, improve networking and market support, promote female participation in incubation programmes, strengthen monitoring and evaluation, expand access to incubation programmes across all regions, enhance access to funding for startups, and foster collaboration with universities and research institutions to further enhance the effectiveness of its incubation programmes.
