Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences: Home

Abstract:
The advent of global telecommunication system (GSM) in the early years of the new millennium in Nigeria as a result of new telecommunications policy has revolutionize the way individuals and organization interact, communicate and do business. While the official position was that within a short time, its gains could be seen, especially in terms of urban unemployment reduction, critics had stated that it was too early to say. This study assesses the validity of these claims by examining the state of urban unemployment and how GSM has helped in reducing same in Minna town, Nigeria as a case study. Combining survey with regression analysis, the study reveals that GSM is not contributing to generate revenue for the families of those engaged in the business as well as revenue to local authorities, but is helping to create jobs among the youth in the study area. To further consolidate these laudable gains, it is recommended that the local authorities should integrate the use of commercial GSM platform into its youth empowerment programme. To facilitate the articulation of a comprehensive and far-reaching policy on unemployment reduction in the state in the future, studies into rural unemployment and how GSM can help in creating jobs in its rural settlements is further recommended.

Keywords: GSM business; unemployment; Minna-Nigeria; Niger; telecommunications; economy

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