Need for Achievement Theory (NAT) (David McClelland 1965)

This is a psychological theory propounded by McClelland in 1965. The theory posit that the ability to make good judgement about the future leads an individual to become a successful entrepreneur. According to McClelland (1965) there is a strong tie between need for achievement, economic development and entrepreneurial activities. There will be a relative greater amount of entrepreneurial activities in the society, where the average level of need for achievement is relatively high. The relevance of the theory to the study is that when students or learners are sufficiently motivated to have high need for achievement in life through entrepreneurship education, there is the greater tendency for them to set up their own business after graduation thereby creating jobs and employment.