DETERMINANTS OF EXPOSURE TO SKILLS DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION AND YOUTH LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Job and entrepreneurship opportunities available to the youth are limited in Nigeria, making participation in the labour force highly competitive. To expand their chances of participating in the labour force, skills/entrepreneurship intervention programmes sponsored by public and private sector organisations have targeted the youth as a solution to closing the unemployment gap in Nigeria. Participation in skills/entrepreneurship development programmes is determined by the information available to the youth about such opportunities. Therefore, exposure to entrepreneurship development information becomes crucial for enhanced youth labour force participation. So, to understand this phenomenon, the study undertook primary research using quantitative and qualitative research approaches to obtain data from youth aged 15-35 years across Nigeria. A total of 2,396 questionnaires were completed and retrieved. Also, the study held 12 FGDs with 96 participants and 12 key informant interviews. The findings of the study showed that exposure to skills/entrepreneurship development information is critical for owning a business, growing the business successfully, or securing employment. Policymakers should increase efforts at setting up platforms and systems that will provide credible information on skills/entrepreneurship programmes and their benefits to individuals and the country.