Home Economics Practical Skills and Women’s Micro-Enterprise Performance in Kebbi State

This study empirically examines the relationship between Home Economics practical skills and the performance of women-owned micro-enterprises in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria. Women's micro-enterprise development is a cornerstone of poverty reduction and economic empowerment strategies in underserved northern Nigerian states, and the practical skills acquired through Home Economics programmes directly underpin many women-led businesses in food processing, textiles, and home services. Using a cross-sectional analytical design, the study targets 280 women micro-enterprise owners in Birnin Kebbi and Zuru local government areas. Data were collected using a validated practical skills assessment questionnaire and a standardised business performance index covering revenue, profit margins, customer retention, and enterprise growth. Objectives include inventorying the practical Home Economics skills applied in enterprises, measuring business performance scores, and determining the strength and direction of skills-performance relationships. Analytical methods include multiple regression, factor analysis, and Pearson correlation. The Resource-Based View of the Firm anchors the study, treating practical skills as strategic enterprise assets. Recent literature from North West Nigeria identifies food processing and textile production competencies as the most predictive Home Economics skills for micro-enterprise viability. Findings are expected to reveal specific skill domains that most powerfully drive enterprise sustainability among women in Kebbi State. Recommendations address the Kebbi State Ministry of Commerce, the Bank of Industry, and Home Economics departments. Keywords: practical skills, micro-enterprise performance, women entrepreneurs, Home Economics, Kebbi State.