Abstract

Small business establishments, especially in the rural areas of Nigeria and generally the world over serve to meet the local needs of rural dwellers. Diverse opportunities exist in the rural areas that could turn their fortunes around. Despite the small size and low densities, social and economic composition, nature of internal and external linkages, in the rural areas, profitable business enterprises can flourish. Extension education plays a very important guide in promoting entrepreneurship activities in the rural areas, reduce poverty and create wealth. This paper outlines four (4) important areas of support areas in which extension education promotes entrepreneurship in rural areas. The areas include supporting community culture, business technical assistance and training, access to capital at every stage of business development and peer professional and industry networks. The above guide promotes the survival of business activities in the rural areas with the aim of reducing poverty among rural dwellers and the same time creating wealth and employment for improved standard of living. To solve the problem facing entrepreneurship development in Nigeria, government should create conducive macroeconomic environment such as competitive market, finance, flexible labour among others. Keywords: Extension, poverty, rural, business, employment, wealth, enterprise.