Abstract
This study examined gender disparities in youth skill acquisition and employment outcomes in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), focusing on barriers and socio-economic and institutional factors influencing economic participation. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 400 youth (200 male, 200 female) aged 18–35 in Bwari, Gwagwalada, and Kuje Area Councils. The Henry Garrett Ranking Technique identified key barriers, while the Logit Dichotomous Regression Model assessed the impact of socio-economic (gender, education, training experience, marital status, age) and institutional (ICT skills, TVET training) factors on employment status. Findings revealed that lack of finance, limited government funding, and household responsibilities are the primary barriers to skill acquisition, with female youth facing greater socio-cultural constraints like gender norms and early marriage. Employment barriers include financial constraints, labour market saturation, and poor governance, with women disproportionately affected by discrimination and domestic responsibilities. The regression results show that gender, education, training experience, ICT skills, and TVET training significantly enhance employment likelihood, with males having a 4.2% higher employment probability. Female youth are disadvantaged by systemic biases and limited access to high-skill training. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address gender-specific barriers, enhance access to finance, and improve vocational training to promote equitable economic outcomes and support Nigeria’s sustainable development goals.