THE CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

An increasing youth unemployment rate in Sub-Saharan African economies presents a major problem for the continent’s economies today. Since the early 1980s, economists and policymakers in Nigeria have been deeply concerned about the issue of youth unemployment. Public and private sectors are beginning to pay more attention to this phenomenon due to financial crisis and this has exacerbated the country’s unemployment problem and, in turn, the country’s developmental pace. It is based on this premise that this study sought to examine the challenges and prospects of youth unemployment in Nigeria: A case study of 2015-2023 using the following research questions; how endemic is youth unemployment situation in Nigeria? What is the relationship between youth unemployment and economic development in Nigeria? How has youth unemployment brought about security challenges in Nigeria? What are the possible measures of reducing youth unemployment in Nigeria? To answer the aforementioned questions, the study employed the quantitative methodology using the questionnaire as the primary mode of data collection. The major findings of the study were that; bad leadership and insecurity in all its forms has a negative impact on the youth unemployment situation in Nigeria which have further plunged the nation with increased hunger and instability. The general breakdown of law and order was said to be caused by the adverse unemployment situation. Failed fiscal policies and programs was suggested as a possible reason for the exacerbation of youth unemployment situation across the country and that lack of Jobs drives youths to engage in all sorts of activities that cause insecurity. The study recommended that the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must expand and improve upon its social intervention programme to ensure  the  creation  and  provision of  jobs  to  both skilled and  un-skilled  youths of  the  country.  This would go a long way in reducing  poverty,  and  thereby  minimizing  the  rate  of  crime  in  Nigeria  and  among youths.  Government officials must therefore work to the benefit of the citizens.  Poverty and inequality should be eliminated if Nigeria is to stand a chance to attain even development. The government should create job opportunities for its unemployed youth. Provision of employment has to be the government main priority.