Entrepreneurial intentions of real estate students: an ordinal analysis of the predictors Timothy Oluwafemi Ayodele Department of Estate Management, Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa Mujidat Olubola Babalola Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (Main Campus), University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, and Olaitan Waliu Olaoye and Rachel Lawale Department of Estate Management, Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria Abstract Purpose – This study aims to examine the predictors of entrepreneurial intentions of real estate students in an emerging economy where there are significant odds against paid employment owing to the dwindling economic drivers. Design/methodology/approach – Primary data was obtained using closed-ended questionnaire served on final-year real estate students in three tertiary institutions in Southwestern Nigeria. Out of a total of 231 copies of the questionnaire distributed, 160 (69.3%) were retrieved and found suitable for analysis. Using ordinal least square regression, the study examined the influence of the independent variables on the respondents’ entrepreneurial intention across two models. While the first model was without the moderators of prior entrepreneurial exposure (that is, parental occupation, relationship with a real estate entrepreneur, previous/current engagement in business and attendance at business/entrepreneurial seminars/workshops), the second included all the control variables. Other descriptive and inferential statistical methods were adopted. Findings – The findings revealed that personal satisfaction/prestige, support system, university education, age, cumulative grade points and mothers’ education were statistically significant predictors, at p < 0.05, across the two models examined. Fathers’ education and occupation were only significant in the second model, that is, when controlled for prior entrepreneurial exposure. Also, the influence of faculties and barriers of registration/information were significant at 10% level only in the second model. Finally, the study found no statistically significant differencing across gender, family status, mothers’ occupation and relationship with a real estate entrepreneur. Practical implications – Entrepreneurship is a significant factor influencing economic growth and increased market competitiveness, an examination of students entrepreneurial intentions appear important, especially in regions where there are low economic opportunities. Entrepreneurial intentions Received 27 July 2020 Revised 1 October 2020 Accepted 11 October 2020 Journal of Facilities Management © Emerald Publishing Limited 1472-5967 DOI 10.1108/JFM-07-2020-0048 The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/1472-5967.htm