Youth Involvement in ICT Informal Sector Jobs in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract

This article examines the motivators of gender notions and satisfaction in ICT informal sector jobs among youths in Ile-Ife, Osun state. A cross-sectional research design was employed to collect data. A total of 168 questionnaires and 30 in-depth interviews were administered and conducted on young ICT entrepreneurs. Findings revealed that socio-cultural factors such as peer group, parental influence, and social responsibilities have positively motivated youths to engage in ICT informal sector jobs. It also revealed that men were more prominent in ICT informal jobs like repairs, sales of mobile phones and computers, and women engage in the sale of rechargeable cards. Lastly, the study found that income (β = 0.062, p = 0.003) positively influences satisfaction with ICT informal sector jobs. The study concluded that youths are socio-culturally motivated to engage in ICT informal sector jobs. However; there are gender occupational differences in ICT informal sector jobs.