Role of Information Communication Technology (ICT): Implications on Unemployment and Nigerian GDP

Abstract

ICT is defined as any technology that facilitates communication and assists in capturing, processing and transmitting information electronically. This paper considers ICT to be veritable tools to tackle the rising unemployment in Nigeria. Being without a job is indeed an enforced "idleness" of wage earners who are able and enthusiastic to work but cannot find jobs. ICT can generate youth employment. The increase in mobile phones has led to job creation. Telecentres are being set up in places like shops, schools, community centres, police stations and clinics. The population of Nigeria, according to the National Population Commission (NPC) figures stands at over 140, 000,000. 60% of this number is made up of youths and many of them just idle away their time with nothing to do. With the institutions of learning in Nigeria churning out graduates of various levels and degrees on a yearly basis, a rising trend has seen these graduates coming out of the nation's universities and polytechnics to join those who graduated ahead of them but without any means of livelihood for years. This paper examines the role played by unemployment on the making of the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for a period of nine years (2000 - 2008). The objectives of the study are to examine the effects of unemployment on the Nigerian GDP for the selected years, to observe the kind of association that existing between the unemployment and the makings of the Nigerian GDP. Data was collected and analysed using the regression analysis. Findings showed that unemployment has an enormous effect (over 65%) on the making of the Nigerian GDP and there exist an inverse relationship between the model (unemployment) and the GDP - increase in the model leads to decrease on the GDP and vice versa. Recommendations were proffered based on the study that unemployment can be combated through the Public Sector Reforms and the use of ICT.