ABSTRACT
This research work was designed to determine the role of small-scale business operation in the economic development. Some selected enterprises were used in Ikom Local Government Area, Cross River state and questionnaires were administered in order to extract information on this project. The objectives of the study include to identify the roles of Small-scale business operations in the development of the Nigeria economy and to evaluate the problems the encountered in the establishment of small businesses. Some literatures were reviewed in relation to the topic with the themes and sub themes of the study. However, in research methodology, the researcher used some instruments for data collection. These instrument s emanated from both the primary and secondary source of data. The data collected were analyzed, grouped into frequency, computed and arranged in tables for easy references. The statistics tools for analysis are the simple percentage and chi-square technique. These techniques were appropriately applied at 5% level of significance. The result of the study shows that Small-scale business operation plays a vital role in the development of Nigerian economy despite the various problems the encounter in the establishment of small businesses. Some recommendation were also made based on the results of the findings.