The CLICK -on Kaduna Programme: A Critical Evaluation of the Role of Digital Skills Acquisitions in Human Capital Development & Income Creation in Nigeria.

Abdulrahman, Abba

Abstract

This study delves into a crucial issue in Northern Nigeria, focusing on the challenges of unemployment and the dearth of skilled labour, particularly among youth and women. The research evaluates the efficacy of the Click-On Kaduna Programme (COKP), a strategic initiative by the Kaduna State Government aimed at mitigating these issues. Jointly funded by the Kaduna State Government, the World Bank Group, and the Rockefeller Foundation, COKP sought to empower women and young individuals aged 18 to 40 in Kaduna State by imparting intermediate and advanced digital skills over a 6-month (July – December) period in 2019. The program's objectives encompassed bolstering governance, employability, technical proficiency, and economic well-being through ICT capacity building. Employing a mixed-methodological approach, the study combines qualitative and quantitative methods to gauge the impact of COKP on Human Capital Development (HCD) in Nigeria, with a specific emphasis on female participants. Interviews with sponsors, implementers, and participants, coupled with electronic questionnaires, were utilized to ensure robust survey validity and reliability. Despite a total of 180 participants (90 female and 90 male), only 116 responses were received, with 87 deemed suitable for analysis post data cleansing. In addition to the comprehensive methodology outlined in the study, expert interviews were conducted with representatives from all the program sponsors, including the Kaduna State Government, the World Bank Group, and the Rockefeller Foundation. Furthermore, interviews were also held with NatView Technologies, the program implementers responsible for executing the Click-On Kaduna Programme (COKP). These expert interviews provided valuable insights into the strategic planning, execution, and outcomes of the program from the perspectives of key stakeholders involved in its design and implementation. . Drawing on Gary Becker's and Jacob Mincer's human capital theories, the research scrutinizes the influence of digital skills training on income levels and skills enhancement. Qualitative insights underscore positive outcomes, with participants citing heightened productivity, improved soft skills, and increased prospects for future advancement. Quantitative results corroborate these findings, showcasing a notable positive correlation between education, ICT skills, and income generation. Furthermore, gender-specific analysis accentuates the program's substantial impact on augmenting the income of female participants, thereby addressing prevalent gender disparities in Kaduna State. Overall, the study underscores the pivotal role of digital skills training in empowering individuals, particularly women, and fostering HCD in Nigeria and analogous developing nations. It enriches the existing discourse on ICT skills training programs and offers valuable insights for policymakers and program implementers in crafting gender-inclusive strategies to tackle unemployment and skill deficiencies.

Keywords: Digital Skills, Unemployment, Human Capital Development, Investment, Gender.

Citation

Abdulrahman, A. (2024). The CLICK -on Kaduna Programme: A Critical Evaluation of the Role of Digital Skills Acquisitions in Human Capital Development & Income Creation in Nigeria. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: May 17, 2024
• Keywords: Digital Skills, Unemployment, Human Capital Development, Investment, Gender.
• Award Date: May 31, 2024