DIGITAL SKILLS ACQUISITION AS A MEDIATOR OF GOVERNMENT TECH INITIATIVES AND YOUTH SELF-EMPLOYMENT IN SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA:

EVIDENCE FROM A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

Abstract

Youth unemployment remains a significant socio-economic challenge in Nigeria,
particularly in the South-South region where limited formal employment opportunities
constrain youth economic participation. In response, federal and state governments
have implemented technology-driven initiatives aimed at equipping youths with digital
skills to enhance self-employment. This study examined the effect of digital skills
acquisition on youth self-employment in South-South Nigeria. The study was anchored
on Human Capital Theory and conceptualized digital skills acquisition into three
dimensions: technical digital skills, digital marketing and e-commerce skills, and soft
digital literacy. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Data were
collected using a structured questionnaire from 420 youths who participated in federal
and state digital training programmes across Delta, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States. A
total of 376 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple
regression analysis. The results revealed that digital skills acquisition had a significant
effect on youth self-employment (R=0.721, R²= 0.520, Adj. R² = 0.516). The regression
model was statistically significant F(3,372) = 23.54, p<0.05), indicating that the
independent variables jointly predicted youth self-employment. Collectively, the
predictors explained 52.0% of the variance in youth self-employment. The study
concludes that digital skills acquisition is a strong determinant of youth selfemployment in South-South Nigeria. It recommends increased investment in
comprehensive digital capacity-building programmes that integrate technical,
marketing, and digital literacy skills to enhance youth entrepreneurial outcomes and
reduce unemployment.