English Language Proficiency and Digital Entrepreneurship in Nigeria: A Systematic Synthesis of Linguistic Barriers and Pathways to Inclusive Growth

Abstrak

The digital economy in Nigeria is expanding rapidly, yet its benefits are unevenly distributed across a linguistically diverse population of over 500 languages. This study synthesises existing empirical evidence to examine the role of English language proficiency as a catalyst for digital entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth in the post-pandemic era. Drawing on a systematic synthesis of four empirical studies conducted across three geopolitical zones in Nigeria, the analysis reveals a strong positive correlation between English proficiency and entrepreneurship skills (r = 0.86, r² = 0.74), indicating that English language ability accounts for 74 percent of the variance in entrepreneurship skills. However, qualitative contextual data reveal significant exclusionary obstacles: 60 percent of entrepreneurs report ongoing difficulties with English communication, 66.7 percent struggle with digital language during online commerce, and over 60 percent of digital learners regularly avoid complex English content. The study finds that English proficiency is essential for accessing global digital markets, but a monolingual approach to English is not conducive to inclusive growth. The findings are interpreted through Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory and the Zone of Proximal Development, which illuminate how digital entrepreneurs operate beyond their linguistic scaffolding and require structured support to bridge the gap. The study recommends bilingual digital interfaces, simplified English for digital education, infrastructural investment, and targeted English for Specific Purposes (ESP) programmes. The paper contributes to the growing literature on language, digital transformation, and economic inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa.