Digital Innovation, Data-Driven Technologies and Unemployment Reduction in Nigeria: Evidence From 2015-2025

This study examines the relationship between digital innovation, data-driven technologies, and unemployment reduction in Nigeria over the period 2015-2025. Employing a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative time-series analysis with qualitative case study evidence, the research investigates how artificial intelligence, big data analytics, digital platforms, data science, and e-government systems have influenced employment outcomes in Africa's largest economy. The findings reveal a complex, non-linear relationship: while data-driven technologies have contributed to employment generation through digital payment systems (ATM, POS, mobile money), gig economy platforms, and ICT infrastructure expansion, they have simultaneously engendered job displacement in traditional sectors and exacerbated skill mismatches. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that the employment effects of digital innovation are contingent upon digital infrastructure, skill availability, and institutional frameworks—a nuanced finding that moves beyond the simplistic "technology creates jobs" narrative. Policy implications emphasize the need for coordinated investments in digital literacy, social protection for displaced workers, and regulatory frameworks that maximize the employment gains of digital transformation while mitigating its disruptive effects.