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E-Governance and Empowerment Accessibility Among Youths in Bayelsa State

Monovie Lanny Clement, Odo Tare Love

Abstract

This paper reviewed e-governance and accessibility of empowerment among the youth in Bayelsa State in Nigeria. The research was based on the Diffusion of Innovation Theory and Empowerment Theory to discuss the process of adoption of digital governance platforms and their impact on the result of youth empowerment. The qualitative research design was employed and the data collected through the in-depth interviews was used to produce data among the youths aged between 18 and 35 years in the selected communities in Bayelsa state. The sample was chosen through purposive sampling because the respondents were required to have experience or knowledge regarding e- governance platforms and youth empowerment programmes. Thematic analysis was used in the analysis of data collected. The research findings showed that the e-governance-enacted empowerment programmes, including the digital skills training, online entrepreneurship, and ICT- based registration systems, exist in the Bayelsa State. Yet, there is an unequal access of the youths to these programmes. Lack of proper digital infrastructure, lack of digital literacy, insufficient awareness, socio-economic factors and institutional inefficiencies were also found to be the primary obstacles to effective access. The research also found out that urban and rural youths experienced imbalances in access to the same opportunities, as the rural youths had a more difficult time because of bad connectivity and lack of ICT facilities. The work then concludes that although e-governance has great potential in empowering young people, the effects of e- governance in Bayelsa State are limited by the structural and institutional issues. This study thus suggests that better digital infrastructure, better digital literacy, inclusive policy execution and clear governance structures should be implemented in order to have equitable access to the opportunities of empowerment of the youths.

Keywords

E-Governance; Youth Empowerment; Accessibility; Digital Inclusion; Bayelsa State; Nigeria

References

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