Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a Viable Tool in Entrepreneurship for Poverty Eradication among Youths in Benue State of Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a viable tool in entrepreneurship for poverty eradication among youths in Benue State of Nigeria. Two research questions were raised and answered while two hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0,05 level of significance. The study adopted the cross sectional survey research design. A sample of 109 business owners from a population of business centres in Benue environs, simple random sampling technique was used to ensure a fair representation. An instrument titled ICT based Entrepreneurship Skill Rating Scale (ICTESRS) was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by experts in entrepreneurship training. Using Cronbach Alpha Method, the reliability coefficient was calculated at 0.82. Data was analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions while related t-test was employed in testing the null hypotheses. The finding revealed that ICT has significant influence on entrepreneurial businesses in Benue State (t = 326.93, df 1 @ 108, p = .023, since the p<0.05). Entrepreneurial businesses have significant influence on poverty eradication in Benue State, calculated (t = 301.27, df = 1 @ 108, p = .012 since the p value <0.05). The study recommended among others that entrepreneurs should acquire and use ICT modern tools in promoting their businesses.