PROMOTING YOUTH EMPLOYMENT THROUGH THE WEAPON OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

ABSTRACT

This study explores the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in promoting and opening up career prospects for the Nigerian youth. In many countries, youth empowerment aims to give young people the skills necessary for self-employment and nation-building. The unemployment and underemployment rates among Nigerian graduates and young people are on the high side, and the levels of crime and poverty have also increased. To address the issue of unemployment in Nigeria, the Federal Government of Nigeria, international agencies, and non-governmental organizations have implemented some youth empowerment programs. Although the government and other organizations have made attempts to help control this problem, it appears that the anticipated outcomes of these programs have not yet materialized. Youths have taken up the challenge of unemployment by engaging in a job that is created through telecommunication space. The research looked at the effectiveness of these communication gadgets with the view of playing the role of job creation. A questionnaire was used to gather youth employment information through ICT. According to research, using ICT to empower young people opens up job chances. Therefore, this article recommends the youth to personally commit to ICT opportunity and education and make effective use of the technology for their personal development, the communities and the country's growth at large.

Keywords: ICT, Job creation, Unemployed youth, Youth employment