Public Policy and Digital Entrepreneurship in Nigeria: Evolving Strategies for Enhancing Youth Empowerment for Inclusive Economic Growth

The persistence of youth unemployment in Nigeria, despite rapid digital advancement, underscores a critical gap in public policy and institutional coherence. This study appraises evolving policy strategies promoting youth empowerment through digital innovation, with a focus on how governance structures and policy instruments shape opportunities for youth-led digital enterprises. Employing a qualitative research design, it utilizes content analysis of government policy documents, institutional reports, and selected Nigerian case studies. Guided by institutional theory and the theory of change, the study examines how institutional norms, policy coherence, and implementation mechanisms influence outcomes in youth digital empowerment. Findings reveal that incoherent policies, weak institutions, limited access to finance, and inadequate digital competencies impede the effectiveness of government initiatives. The study argues that fragmented institutional arrangements and inconsistent policy execution hinder the translation of digital transformation into inclusive economic opportunities for Nigerian youth. It recommends integrated digital policy frameworks, strengthened public–private partnerships, and targeted investments in digital skills and innovation ecosystems. The study concludes that coherent institutional reforms and adaptive policy mechanisms are essential for realizing the transformative potential of digital entrepreneurship in fostering sustainable youth empowerment and inclusive development in Nigeria.