The extent of utilisation of ICT for economic empowerment among youths in Zamfara West Senatorial District, Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the extent of utilisation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for economic empowerment among youths in Zamfara West Senatorial District, Zamfara State, Nigeria. The population comprised youths from six local government areas (Anka, Bakura, Bukkuyum, Gummi, Maradun, and Talata Mafara), with a total youth population of 381,997 based on the 2006 census. A sample of 540 questionnaires was distributed, of which 497 were correctly completed and analysed. Data were presented using descriptive statistics and further subjected to Chi-square tests to determine significant patterns. The demographic results showed that 83.7% of respondents were male and 16.30% were females, 42.1% aged 18-24 years, and 53.9% had only primary or secondary education. In terms of empowerment, a majority strongly agreed that youths engage in mobile phone and accessory sales (71.4%), computer and phone repairs (72.0%), ICT-based services such as graphics and internet access (62.8%), and internet café businesses (69.0%). Advanced ICT skills such as app development and web design also recorded high engagement (62.8%). Analysis of ICT tools revealed that internet (88.3%) and phones (77.9%) were the most widely used, followed by mobile POS (58.2%). However, challenges such as inadequate electricity supply (56.9%) and limited internet connectivity (26.6%) emerged as the main barriers, while financial and knowledge-related challenges were less prominent. Chi-square tests confirmed statistically significant associations across all variables, indicating that ICT utilisation plays a critical role in youth empowerment and economic participation. The study concludes that ICT is a vital enabler of youth economic empowerment in Zamfara West Senatorial District, fostering entrepreneurship, skill development and job creation. It recommends infrastructural improvements, increased funding and digital literacy initiatives to enhance the economic potential of ICT in empowering youths and contributing to sustainable national development.