Digital Civic Education as a Strategy for Promoting Human Capital Development among Youths in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of AkwaIbomState

This study examined digital civic education as a strategy for promoting human capital development among youths in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised of youths residing in the study area, while data were collected using a researcher-developed Digital Civic Education and Human Capital Development Questionnaire (DCEHCDQ). The instrument was validated by three experts in Adult Education, Educational Technology, and Measurement and Evaluation, and a Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of 0.79 was obtained. Data were collected and analysed using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, with a criterion mean of 2.50 used for decision-making. The findings revealed that youths were exposed to digital civic education to a low extent, with a cluster mean of 1.62. The findings also showed that human capital was developed among the youths to a low extent, with a cluster mean of 1.88. The study concluded that youths in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area had limited exposure to digital civic education and reported a low extent of human capital development in areas such as digital competence, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, employability, entrepreneurship and innovation. civic The study recommended the strengthening of structured digital education and practical digital-skills programmes to enhance youths’ digital competence, responsible civic participation, employability, entrepreneurship, critical thinking and lifelong learning.