ABSTRACT:

The declared intent of this study is to know the relevance of pre-retirement entrepreneur skills development for Directors on life before retirement in the public service. The findings of the study will assist in better understanding, appreciation and implementation of entrepreneurial development principles. Nigeria’s bid for sourcing an alternative to oil windfall will be actualized by the strengthening and production of interest in small and medium enterprises especially for serving Directors at the verge of retirement. The study also will assist intending and existing Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) in identifying strengths, weakness, and how to obtain optimal productivity. The area of study centres on the Bayelsa State Public Service (Ministries and Parastatals) with a total of Six hundred and eighty-eight (688) questionnaires distributed. Primary and secondary data were also collected. The statistical tools used were Chi-square and Correlation techniques. Z-test was used in testing the hypothesis and the results confirmed the desired results. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that research work in pre-retirement development skills should continue so as to expose and equip public servants for self-reliance during years of service and life after retirement.