Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Education and Youth Entrepreneurship in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is increasingly being accepted as an important and innovative strategy for improving the livelihood and economic independence of young people. Also, information and communication technology (ICT) is believed to help the youths develop varied skills including entrepreneurial skills. This paper examines the role of ICT education in enhancing youth entrepreneurship in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Relying on Bandura’s theory of self efficacy, the paper explains that youth’s firm belief that they can radically change their life influences their motivation, decision, and ability to establish and run an enterprise; and that ICT education plays a crucial role in developing appreciable levels of self efficacy and entrepreneurial spirit in the youths. Data for the study were generated through the questionnaire administered to 1,890 respondents. Results of the study show that: youths in urban areas are increasingly accessing ICT education; ICT education enhances entrepreneurship in many ways; and more youths have high self efficacy as a result of the ICT education they have received. However, the study found that only few youths are into entrepreneurial activities, owing to the challenges influencing entrepreneurship in Nigeria. The challenges listed by the youths include poor education or illiteracy, inadequate access to factors of production, insufficient capital, poor motivation, lack of credit facilities, inadequate entrepreneurial training, constrained access to local and international markets, and inadequate infrastructural facilities including access road and electricity. The paper concludes that helping the youths to overcome these challenges will position them to contribute to national development.