ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to consider the roles of entrepreneurial and innovative business practices on the growth and development of SMEs amongst student entrepreneurs in Nigeria as well as the challenges SMEs face in adopting entrepreneurial and innovative practices taking students in the Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State as a case study. The study employed the survey research design in the collection of data using questionnaire as its main research instrument. The sample of this study is three hundred and sixty seven (367) drawn from the population of undergraduate Management Science students. The data derived were analysed using the descriptive statistical techniques. The findings of this study revealed that the success and growth of enterprises are being hindered by certain challenges such as challenges in securing resources,  fear of potential failure, strict laws and regulations, challenges in securing funding, and existing organisational structure and resistance to change. However, despite these challenges, there is potential for growth and development of SMEs particularly through the promotion of entrepreneurship training programmes and workshops and the implementation of supportive policies by the government.