@ mscrackles:
you did great, setting up this thread and inn deciding to take the proverbial "bull by the horns," regarding your life and future, so plenty kudos.
im soooo glad you chose to start with a business plan and to get a mentor, i can see, especially
from your comments that this entrepreneurial path has increased your capacity for success..
And yes, government, no matter their good intentions, cannot provide jobs for every unemployed Nigerian so have to buckle-up. Most of us (Nigerian youth) shy away from the demands of running a legitimate business, forgetting the benefits and success possibilities of same. Forgetting also that entrepreneurship does not belong to a select few, it can be learned!
The question arises, do you continually want to, "feed" or "be fed," "employ" or "be employed," be "independent" or be "dependent"?
Now, as a contribution...
Contrary to popular opinion, and like you pointed out, lack of funding is not the no. 1 need of the Nigerian business person, whether just starting or having run the business for some time.
Over 10 years combined experience of starting and running some businesses, for myself and helping clients do same, shows that the
no.1 Need of the Nigerian business person is a lack of KNOW-HOW...
For instance;
Many people are not sure what their next move should be or how to go about it;
Most people who have funds to start a business are not sure what area to go into while most of those who think they do not have funds to start may just need redirection towards certain possibilities;
Most would-be business owners/start-ups don't even know what steps to take in starting a business in the first place;
Most would-be business owners/start-ups do not know that it is crucial to get relevant info about the area they want to start a business in;
Most would-be business owners/start-ups do not realize that it is extremely important to get place their plans in writing, not just locked-up in their heads...
I could go on but I think the point is made..
Self-employment is a surer bet and
know-how should be a business owner/starter's 1st priority!
Hope this helps?!