Digital Literacy and the gig economic: a critical step in Youth empowerment for Nation Building.

Executive Summary: As a young person, working on projects for multiple companies at the same time can help to grow skill sets and expose workers to more opportunities. More independence and freedom to choose when and where to work. Less risk of job and income loss with multiple employers. Also, digital literacy is a good way young people could get along with the latest trends and be competitive globally. A good number of our IG related issues when traced to the root cause, deals directly with the youth. In Nigeria as a society or community, if more attention is paid to the policies and regulations that create an enabling environment for a thriving youth population, it is safe to say we can predict our future and direction with hope for a virile and vibrant economy. Introduction: This century has witnessed an unprecedented revolution from the invention of the Internet which has led to automation of processes, a digital economy, optimised systems and creation of new and flexible jobs and many more yet to be discovered. The use and effect of technology and the internet cuts across communication and media, learning, job opportunities and employment, mentorship, voting (now electronic), automated manufacturing processes, internet television etc. The future of every nation lies substantially in her ability to create economic opportunities for her teaming young population. Historically, as countries grow richer, their economically active young people become more likely to be found in wage employment [1]. It is a tendency typically explained by rural-to-urban migration and the economic expansion of companies but also by the decreased labour supply arising from extended schooling. More recently, some of the most developed countries have achieved a close-to-zero rate of independent employment among young people; in 2005, for instance, a mere 0.3 percent of German youth were self-employed, while it was 0.7 per cent in France and 0.6 per cent in Austria. These trends are not as pronounced in southern European countries, in the United Kingdom or the Netherlands although the same pattern of increasing youth wage employment is associated with economic growth. In Nigeria, Internet penetration continues to grow according to Internet World Stats. However, young people’s digital participation is neglected and there is a huge lack of adequate supporting environment for youth initiatives especially within the current era of digital technology and Fourth Industrial Revolution. It is therefore important to rethink and reimagine young people’s critical place, rights and what it means for them to participate in society [2]. Digital literacy should be a part of the curriculum for children in all parts of the world, in order to bridge the digital divide both globally, among pupils within the same country, and even among schools and classes. Approach & Result: We propose a Multistakeholder Approach - involving a high-level deliberation conveyed by various stakeholders including the government, CSOs, Businesses and the Accademia where; actionable issues will be documented for legislation in the national assembly, a sustainable short term, mid and long term digital literacy strategy will emerge, and finally a national digital re-skill program for all. Such issues should include the protection of the rights of the youth in accessing opportunities in the gig economy both locally and internationally. It is also highly recommended that basic to advanced technology, digital literacy skills and Internet governance issues be introduced from an early stage beginning from primary schools to a compulsory subject in junior and senior examinations and a dedicated course of discipline in tertiary institutions. This will remove the bottleneck of technology being an exclusive preserve for people who can afford internet, technology equipment or tools (laptop, tablet, needed curriculum). Conclusion: To have the next generation in mind we have to create an inclusive digital space for everyone most especially the youths. We recommend an inclusive space in technology for youths and policies should be made to protect and encourage them to enjoy opportunities in the gig economy and participate in ICT. young people in other countries with thriving economies are bringing in notable impact, if other stakeholders such as the Nigerian government, the Civil society, Private sector, Academia, will support the youths by creating ict subjects in the school curriculums for students to learn from early ages we would be vast and more knowledgeable in ict usage in the country. Implications & Recommendations: ​​The Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) should draft an actionable plan in collaboration with Nigerian University Commision (NUC), and the Federal Ministry of Education to integrate digital literacy and Internet Governance in our school curriculum and also create an enabling environment for youths to freely explore the gig economy both locally and internationally. The Ministry of Youth and Sports should collaborate with NITDA to integrate digital literacy as a core capacity building pillar both formally and informally. We encourage all “lecturers, teachers and mentors” in any capacity to be intentional in embracing digital literacy and adopt best practices with regard to content and delivery. Considering the potency of executive orders in Nigeria, governments at local, state and federal levels should adopt and implement digital policies and make Technology and digital automation to be in the forefront of their agenda in all sectors. Automation will in itself create a demand to advance digital skills for taking advantage of the potentials of the Internet. Until young people’s ICT and Digital Literacy is given premium attention by appropriate stakeholders in Nigeria and parts of Africa, other pertinent concerns such as digital rights, online safety and privacy and digital wellbeing will remain unaddressed [2]. In general, we therefore recommend a Multistakeholder approach where various actions inspired by both Government and Civil Society commit to improving digital literacy initiatives and increase funding for ICT education, equipment and infrastructure [3]. These must target underskilled youths, unskilled youths and youths with outdated skills. This is with the view of bringing the Nigerian youth up to speed with the rest of the world as far as Digital Literacy is concerned.