Digital Platforms as Employment Substitutes: Evaluating Gig Economy Participation in Alleviating Youth Unemployment in Nigeria

NIJAF MAU
Jan 22
1 min read

Authors: Abdulrasheed Taiwo Abdullahi & Anifowose Bukky Baliqisr

Abstract

This study examines the extent to which digital platforms serve as viable employment substitutes for Nigerian youths, focusing on the impact of income accessibility, work flexibility, and skill utilization on employment outcomes. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, data was collected from 396 gig workers aged 18–35 across Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, employing a structured questionnaire with a 94.3% response rate. Income accessibility (β = 0.367, p < 0.001) is the strongest predictor of employment outcomes, underscoring gig work’s role in providing immediate earnings amid formal job scarcity. Work flexibility (β = 0.309, p < 0.001) enhances job engagement, allowing youths to balance multiple gigs and personal commitments. Skill utilization (β = 0.202, p = 0.002) correlates with higher job satisfaction, enabling youths to monetize competencies in freelance and platform-based roles. Regression analysis (R² = 0.52) confirms that these factors collectively explain 52% of the variance in employment outcomes, supporting the gig economy’s potential as a short-term solution to alleviating unemployment. However, challenges such as income volatility, insufficient social protections, and regulatory gaps persist, limiting its long-term sustainability. The study concludes that while digital platforms provide critical income and skill-based opportunities, structural interventions, such as policy recognition, digital upskilling, and fair labor regulations, are needed to transform gig work into a stable employment alternative. These findings offer actionable insights for policymakers, educators, and platform operators seeking to harness the gig economy for youth economic inclusion in Nigeria and similar developing contexts.

Keywords: Gig economy, youth unemployment, digital platforms, income instability, skill utilization, Nigeria