IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM) e-ISSN: 2278-487X, p-ISSN: 2319-7668. Volume 23, Issue 8. Ser. I (August 2021), PP 01-06 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/487X-2308010106 www.iosrjournals.org 1 | Page Gender and Entrepreneurial Skills Development among Selected SMEs in Nigeria Dr. Segun Ilugbusi 1 , Dr. Tonia Yetunde Ayeni 2 , Dr. Abiodun Thomas Ogundele 3 1 Afe Babalola University, Ado – Ekiti. Department of Entrepreneurship 2, 3 Afe Babalola University, Ado – Ekiti. Department of Banking and Finance Corresponding Author: Dr. Thomas Abiodun Ogundele Abstract: The study's main goal was to investigate the relationship between gender and the development of entrepreneurial capabilities. The specific goals are to establish a link between gender diversity and managerial skill development in selected SME, to investigate the link between age diversity and managerial skill development in selected SME, and to examine the relationship between age diversity and managerial skill development in selected SME. Primary data was used and 526 questionnaires were distributed to the registered small and medium business owners. The first data gathered from their various responses were analyzed using the descriptive and inferential statistical methods and ANOVA and multivariate analysis. The results show that R2 is adequate at 0.642, implying that there is a gentle linear relationship between organizational productivity and the independent variables with the remaining 39.45 percent accounted for by non-research model factors, such as, the presence of white noise. Judging from the result obtained, it concluded that gender discrimination also determines the productivity of SMES. The study suggests that in order to reduce gender discrepancies while still benefitting enormously throughout the overall gender pool, both genders are normally and equally capable of executing a powerful position and a job inside the SME firm, humankind must be informed. Key Word: Gender, entrepreneur, inequalities, ethnic, age, SME(s). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 18-07-2021 Date of Acceptance: 03-08-2021 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction In 1950's, the problems associated with gender discrimination were highlighted and considered the most vital issue. Around 1980's & 1990's, great importance was given to female issues in organisation where males were dominating. Gender diversity existing in various areas of management ranging from differences in wages, salary, promotion, participation, higher cognitive process etc. Many of the staff are plagued by the discriminatory issues & problems on gender bases (Suvijnac, 2018). The study of differences between males and females has been researched for an aged time, and plenty of stereotypes about both genders have developed. Since the desegregation of the workforce, the commonly accepted stereotypes are being strongly questioned within the work environment. Despite the fact that, in a comparative discipline, the study of gender differences and the workplace is garnering greater attention with each passing year (Powell, 2008). Many factors have contributed to the recognition that this field of research has obtained. It seems to be the dearth of the event of concrete generalizations about the gender together within the workforce, and also the various contradictions which will be found across studies is another factor. Perhaps the most factor is just the plain increase within the number of females within the workforce Gender is a critical aspect of modern-day vocabulary and is clearly stated because the link between women and men, societies and cultures regulate what masculinity and or feminism is all about and consequently, the way power is distributed and utilized by both genders are different. For us to move toward a more equal future, we need to deconstruct the complexity and multi-layered realities of gender in our society. (2008) (Powell).Women in society are often marginalized and relegated to the completion of their reproductive work. In formal organizations, women are most typically assigned to roles such as secretaries, assist assistants, and support workers, which do not allow them to challenge preconceptions. Most times companies are mostly gender biased, but often times the wish of exhibiting discrimination and sensitivity towards one sex becomes fanatically biased against another gender (Lei Lai, 2007).