WEALTH CREATION FOR YOUTHS IN NIGERIA THROUGH ICT

VENTURES: THE 21ST CENTURY YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SCHEME.

1Okwara Chizoba Jerry and 2*Onwuegbuzie Innocent, The Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti

1Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Vocational Studies (CEDVS),

2Computer Studies Dept. *Corresponding author: innoslov@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The alarming rate of unemployment in Nigeria is one of great concern. As a

way to leverage this situation, the Nigerian Government tends to

concentrate on youth enrollment in agriculture as a remedy.To this effect,

billions of naira has been spent in the agricultural sector through different

schemes that have yielded poor results.Subsequently the huge wealth

generated from crude oil has made the Government completely ignore any

other ways of wealth creation, and unfortunately this Oil business is only for

the so-called privileged, powerful and influential. The Youth has no say in it

at all. Every day the country turns out Thousands of young graduates who

just completed their National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) programme with

no job ready for them, It’s indeed a sickening situation, what is the way

forward? This is the 21st Century, the era in which Information Technology

has revolutionized every sector of the world’seconomy/enterprise; this

indeed is a promising avenue to venture. This paper unveils great wealth

creation opportunities through diverse facets of Information and

communication Technology (ICT). It ends with the hope of providing a New

Beginning and lively-hood independent of Oil and Gas for the teeming

youths.

Keywords: ICT, Wealth creation, Youth, Empowerment, Unemployment

INTRODUCTION:

Unemployment can be likened to a viral disease in Nigeria, considering

analysis of statistical records. Researchers have carried out extreme work on

this issue and obvious facts where noted. According to the National Bureau

of Statistics, and made the findings that Unemployment in Nigeria increased

to 23.90 percent in 2011 from 21.10 percent in 2010. Unemployment Rate in

Nigeria averaged 14.60 Percent from 2006 until 2011, reaching an all time

high of 23.90 Percent in 2011 and a record low of 5.30 Percent in 2006.

Unemployment Rate in Nigeria is reported by the National Bureau of

Statistics, Nigeria. The graphical diagram below shed more light on this fact:

One will not but term this whole situation as alarming and unacceptable.

The figure keeps growing by the day despite the Federal government’s

continuous out-flow of billions of naira into different schemes aimed at

resolving the issue of unemployment. One of these schemes which is the

Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, Graduate Internship

scheme (SURE-P GIS) programme is a welcome development.The Graduate

Internship Scheme (GIS) commenced in October, 2012 as a social safety net

component of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme

(SURE-P). It is implemented by the Federal Ministry of Finance with a

mandate to provide short term employment forgraduates. The question is

how far can this programme meet its objective amidst corruption in Nigeria

as so far cases has been reported of misappropriation and embezzlement of

funds meant for it.

Need I remind you of the billions released to the Agricultural sector in

Nigeria in view of getting the youth actively involved? Some of these such

schemes includes Agriculture-Based Youth Empowerment Scheme (Agric-

YES), Youth Collaborative Community Agriculture Programme (YOCCAP)

to mention but a few. The question still remains that how much of the set

objectives has been reached amidst corruption in Nigeria. The time has come

to explore other opportunities embedded in other areas of which

Information and Communication Technology ( ICT) is suggested as a viable

one.

This is the 21st Century and also termed the computer or ICT age. Therefore,

attention should be given to ICT in order to explore great and proven

opportunities in it.

WHAT IS ICT?

ICT is defined as the integration and utilization of computertechnologies for

the purpose of disseminating information to a target destination or

consumerwithout the constraint of time and space (Adekomi, 2007).Again,

it is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or

application, encompassing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and

network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the

various services and applications associated with them, such as

videoconferencing and distance learning.According to the European

Commission, the importance of ICTs lies less in the technology itself than in

its ability to create greater access to information and communication in

underserved populations. Many countries around the world have

established organizations for the promotion of ICTs, because it is feared that

unless less technologically advanced areas have a chance to catch up, the

increasing technological advances in developed nations will only serve to

exacerbate the already-existing economic gap between technological "have"

and "have not" areas.

In the past, people where educated on becoming ICT compliant and to some

acceptable extent, a higher percentage of an average Nigerian uses an ICT

gadget. These hardware are software driven and that’s off course a function

of the computer system as they cannot be separated. In some Nigerian

schools today, ownership of a Personal Computer (PC) is compulsory before

one can enroll. Some businesses are adopting technology for easier and

management and administration.

To this effect, there is need to put ICT solution providers who will saddle the

responsibility of resolving user related issues in place.

The following areas have been discovered for venture:

1. Hardware maintenance

2. Web development

3. Graphics design

4. Printing and Photocopying Business Centers

5. GSM repairs

6. Cybercafé

HARDWARE MAINTENANCE

Computer hardware refers to its physical and tangible parts of a computer

system. In order words, it refers to those ones we can see and touch. These

parts of the computer are prone to physical damage or develop electrical

faults. Half the time, computers don’t have user replaceable parts, rather, it

is advised they refer to technician who will provide solution. This technical

know-how can be acquired as a skill so as to provide such services to the

affected users. Resolving this hardware issues can cost the customer about

5,000.00(Five thousand Naira) to 10,000.00(Ten Thousand Naira) depending

on the complexity of the issue. Some of the most common hardware prone

to repairs can be seen the pictures below:

Picture 1: Desktop

Picture 2: Printer

Picture 3: Laptop

WEB DEVELOPMENT

Web development is a broad term for the work involved in developing a

web site for the Internet (World Wide Web) or an intranet (a private

network). Web development can range from developing the simplest static

single page of plain text to the most complex web-based internet

applications, electronic businesses, and social network services. A more

comprehensive list of tasks to which web development commonly refers,

may include web design, web content development, client liaison, client-

side/server-sidescripting, web server and network security configuration,

and e-commerce development.

Source: http://levelsevenltd.com/tag/nigeria-website-design/

With the advent of easy to use web development applications, a Web

Developer can quickly create a nearly professional website in just one day

with less technical know-how. Charges for creating one ranges from

between 20,000.00(Twenty thousand naira) to 50,000.00(Fifty thousand

naira) depending on the complexity.

GRAPHICS DESIGN

Graphic design is the methodology of visual communication, and problem-

solving through the use of type, space and image. The field is considered a

subset of visual communication and communication design, but sometimes

the term "graphic design" is used interchangeably with these due to

overlapping skills involved. Graphic designers use various methods to

create and combine words, symbols, and images to create a visual

representation of ideas and messages. A graphic designer may use a

combination of typography, visual arts and page layout techniques to

produce a final result. Graphic design often refers to both the process

(designing) by which the communication is created and the products

(designs) which are generated.

Source: http://toscanyacademy.com/blog/career-in-nigeria/list-

institutions-offer-graphic-design-programme-nigeria/

Common uses of graphic design include identity (logos and branding),

publications (magazines, newspapers and books), print advertisements,

posters, billboards, website graphics and elements, signs and product

packaging. For example, a product package might include a logo or other

artwork, organized text and pure design elements such as images, shapes

and color which unify the piece. Composition is one of the most important

features of graphic design, especially when using pre-existing materials or

diverse elements.

Since the inception of the use of very popular packages like Corel draw,

Photo shop and Paint, this endeavor has become very easy to venture and

produces acceptable outputs. Depending on the complexity of the job, one

can make up to 5,000.00 naira or more on any design produced.

PRINTING AND PHOTOCOPYING BUSINESS CENTERS

A business centre, in the Nigerian context, is an establishment where

services such as: typesetting, photocopying, scanning, spiral binding,

lamination, and internet surfing (browsing) etc. are carried out.

The business centre can be expanded to include other services like: sales and

repair of computer, sales of Examination scratch cards like WAEC, NECO,

JAMB, etc; sales of recharge cards of all denominations, and call centre

operations. For a business center to be profitable, it requires dedication. The

economy has created a vast opportunity for business centers to thrive as the

business provides sustainable income to operators as a result of its high level

of patronage.

People will always make photocopies of their documents, surf the internet,

make calls and will need other computer services, which most times, can

only be delivered at business centers.

Source: http://www.wealthresult.com/2014/07/business-center-is-big-

business.html

The business does not require much training for those interested in it. It is

centered on money spinning if meticulously run. However, the venture must

be strategically located to get the required patronage that will elicit success.

A site like a School, College of education, University or Polytechnic

environment is an example. A period of three to six months is needed as a

gestation period for beginners with basic knowledge in computer

programming. The period, will give you the opportunity to learn how to run

the business well and nurture it, especially towards attaining profitability.

The most important equipment required for the operation of a business

center, after it has been strategically situated, is the photocopying machine.

The photocopier is the first item that should come into the mind of anyone,

who wishes to go into this line of business. In fact, a good and quality

photocopier will guarantee good income as customers will always

remember you, based on the kind of output your machine delivers. You can

set-up this business centre and earn over N50, 000 monthly. You need about

N200, 000 to 800, 000.00 (Two hundred to Eight Hundred Thousand Naira)

to start. When you commence, you will need to create awareness through

adverts on Banners, Newspapers, Handbills and other mediums

continuously to have a daily flow of multiple streams of income. You don’t

need brand new computers instead; you can go for fairly used ones. A

business centre is one business that has many income sources like

typesetting, photocopying, spiral binding, lamination, designing, training

etc.

For the Photocopying business, you can arrange to buy a fairly used

photocopying machine from a good source. There is a way the machine

calculates all the papers that has gone on its surface per day and you should

master all that before embarking on the business. You also need a good

photocopying paper which contains about 5oo papers in it which can be

gotten at the rate of N600.00. Each photocopied page is between N2.50K and

N10.00.

GSM PHONE REPAIRS

Nearly 100Million Nigerians have GSM phone and these phones need

constant servicing. To learn phone repair, you need about two months or

less. People in the trade confirmed that the work isn’t that difficult, that one

can learn it even using phone manuals. The cheapest repair you do on your

phone will cost you nothing less than N1, 000 and you are guaranteed of

plenty customers on daily basis if you’re good at your work.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/05/gsm-handset-repairers-

dominate-market-corners/

Apart from the ease at which people now communicate freely with one

another in Nigeria, the introduction of affordable GSM phone lines into

Nigeria undoubtedly has brought lots of economic benefits to the ordinary

people on the street. The usage of GSM phones has indeed opened up

income generation opportunities for Nigerians through printing of recharge

cards, sales of recharge cards, SMS short code business, bulk SMS business,

phone call business, sales and repairs of handsets. With an estimated 80

million users of mobile phone lines in Nigeria, interested entrepreneurs can

venture and make money from any of the GSM related businesses. You can

truly make money from GSM phone handsets maintenance/repair business

because the opportunities are there. Remember, there are so many GSM

handset users living even in your street that may be looking for the services

of a reliable and honest GSM technician to diagnose and rectify faults on

their mobile phones.

Therefore, you can leverage on this opportunity that abound in your area to

start generating daily income for yourself through GSM phone handsets

maintenance/repair business. With GSM handset repair business you can

make up to N4, 000/day and N75, 000/month. Setting up your own GSM

repair business does not require huge startup capital and you may not need

to rent a shop to start, you can do it right at home or in the place where you

work during break time. I have a colleague who makes extra cash on part

time basis in the company I once worked for in Lagos/Nigeria from GSM

handset repairs in addition to his salary. And he has a lot of people who

patronize his services both in that office and at home.

With the sum of N23, 000 you can comfortably start the business. This

amount covers the cost of training and purchases of basic GSM handset

repair tools.

Cyber Café Business

Starting a mini cyber cafe using simplified internet subscription packages

will indeed alleviate poverty for the teeming Nigerian youths. Some of the

GSM network does not offer unlimited download. However, some may have

similar packages, you will need to find out if your network of choice have

similar package to go with otherwise, you will have to settle with the ones

available. According to Google, over 45million Nigerians currently have

access to the internet, these 45 million people which may include you and I

access the internet through any of the three (3) means; our personal Laptops

and PC, mobile devices, and through cyber cafe (public computers).

Browsing has become almost daily routine for everyone of us, either for

business purpose, entertainment, or research and education. Hundreds of

millions of hours are spent daily by those who have personal devices for

accessing the internet, and another hundreds of millions of hours in Cyber

Cafe by those who doesn’t have their own Laptop and internet connection.

Until now, running a cyber cafe has been a huge capital intensive business.

You will need to invest in heavy broadband, buy huge infrastructure like V-

Sat, do computer networking, and server administration; before you even

talk of paying for the bandwidth which runs into tens of thousands of Naira.

At the end, what you will get will be nothing more than epileptic services.

With MTN, GlobaCom, Etisalat, Starcomms and other Mobile Data Plane

Carrier, you will enjoy unlimited downloads and faster services which is

exactly what cyber cafe business is all about, and you can connect to a

maximum of 5 computers to come up with a mini cyber cafe. As long as

you’re within the area covered by 3G network, you are good to have your

own mini cyber cafe.

Get an Empty Shop - Look for a small affordable shop within where

you live or anywhere you can find it, let it be possibly in a busy place

but not necessarily very busy place because it seems everyone is

browsing the internet these days, as long as people are living there,

you are okay.

Depending on where you get the shop, the average rate is N1,500 –

N6,000 per month. In some parts of Lagos, the price could be as high

as N9,000 to N12,000 per month. Go for the cheaper ones, they are

everywhere. You will need to pay for one year (1500 x 12 = N18,000)

and some other charges like the popular agreement fee. Just budget

around N30,000 to N100,000 for the shop, you may not spend all.

Furnish Your Shop - You’ll need furniture equipment (Tables and

Chairs), Put AC if you can afford it. Paint your shop if it is not yet

painted and make sure it looks very nice, branding is everything in

business as that will help you attract more customers and stay ahead

of your competitors. Put TV in your shop too, for your customer’s

entertainment. Generator is a must, except if Nigeria’s power supply

changes for better tomorrow but for now, you must get a generator

(N23,000) if you hope to be in business.

Source For Desk Top Computers - You can get them in any quantity

you want at The Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos. But if you’re not in

Lagos, then look for it in any hardware market near you. Don’t get any

scrap and call it computer, go for fairly used CPU with higher

memories and processing speed.

Grab Your Unlimited Download Package - With the unlimited

download and the high speed connectivity, the MTN, GlobaCom,

Etisalat, Starcomms etc package which is ideal to the type of business

we are looking at. The pricing is very competitive with varieties of

subscription packages, chose the package and hardware type that suit

you most. You don’t need much after these, all you need now is to put

your equipment together and start your business. You can network

your GSM Internet connection to the maximum of five devices.

If you charge your customers N100 per hour and all your computers are

occupied, you’ll be making N500 per hour. Multiply that by how many

hours each worked, you’ll have something like this: N500 X 12 = N6, 000

daily from your modest investment! In a month, you’ll be making N6, 000 x

26 = N156, 000. Assuming all days are not the same, you be making at least

N100, 000 monthly.

Source: http://www.wealthresult.com/2013/08/how-to-start-mini-cyber-

cafe-in-nigeria.html

CONCLUSION

Information and communication Technology has come to stay, the earlier

your join the moving Train the better. It is obvious that for one to startup an

ICT related business you do not necessarily need to serve as an Apprentice

for a year, toe or more as the case may be in other business related venture

before you can setup your business. ICT business related ventures has come

to bridge the gap between the very privileged few and the low-end citizen

in Nigeria and the good news is it even gets better as years passes by which

is in agreement with Moore’s Law. This paper has enumerated just few in so

many business ventures that ICT has given birth to, it is hoped that it will go

a long way to act as a source of inspiration and a kick-starter for Nigerian

youths that are looking in the direction of investing on ICT related business

as well as those that do not have heavy capital to start up huge capital

intensive related business.

REFERENCES

Adekomi A. A. (2007). The Challenges of an ICT Driven Instructional

System in an Era of Depended Economy. A manuscript submitted for

Publication, ObafemiAwolowo University,Ile-Ife

National Bureau of Statistics Viewed 11th December, 2014 from:

(http://www.tradingeconomics.com/nigeria/unemployment-rate) 19-11-

14

TechTarget (http://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/ICT-information-

and-communications-technology-or-technologies)

Website Development. Viewed 14th December, 2014

fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_development

Graphics Design. Viewed 12th December, 2014, from;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphic_design

Development of a Website. Viewed 13th December, 2014 from:

http://levelsevenltd.com/tag/nigeria-website-design/

Graphics Design Programming. Viewed 11th December, from:

http://toscanyacademy.com/blog/career-in-nigeria/list-institutions-offer-

graphic-design-programme-nigeria/

Business Centre is Big Business. Viewed 13th, December, 2014, from:

http://www.wealthresult.com/2014/07/business-center-is-big-

business.html

Starting up a business centre. Viewed 14th December 17, 2014, from:

http://theinknewspaper.blogspot.com/2013/11/start-business-

centre.html

How to Start a profitale GSM Phone repairs Business inNigeria. Viewws 14th

December, 2014, from: http://naijabizcom.com/2011/04/how-to-start-a-

profitable-gsm-handset-repair-business-in-nigeria/