The Impact of Digital Skills on Economic Independence among Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Graduates in Delta State, Nigeria

This study investigated the impact of digital skills on economic independence among TVET graduates in Delta State, Nigeria, and whether reliable internet access moderates these relationships. A cross-sectional quantitative survey involved 506 TVET graduates that are currently running a postgraduate programme (PGD, master’s, PhD) across public and private institutions, recruited via WhatsApp groups using random sampling. A structured questionnaire measured proficiency in ten digital-skill domains (5-point Likert), binary entrepreneurial engagement, six-month income ranges, and internet reliability. Descriptive statistics profiled skill levels. Binary logistic regression tested digital-skills’ effect on business ownership, and OLS regression assessed impacts on income. Interaction terms between digital skills and internet reliability examined moderation. Model fit was confirmed with Hosmer–Lemeshow tests and VIF checks. Graduates scored highest in online research and information evaluation (mean = 4.10) and lowest in data analytics (2.30) and basic coding (2.21). A one-unit increase in digital skills raised entrepreneurship odds (β = 0.56, p < .001) and increased monthly income by ₦24,130.51 on average (β = 0.78, p < .001). Reliable internet directly boosted entrepreneurship (β = 0.45, p < .001) and income (β = 0.65, p < .001) and significantly amplified digital-skills’ benefits (interaction β = 0.85 for entrepreneurship; β = 0.89 for income; p < .001). Economic independence among TVET graduates depends on both the depth of digital competencies and the quality of internet connectivity that enables their application. Delta State Government and the Nigeria Communications Commission should urgently invest in affordable broadband and stable power around TVET campuses.