ABSTRACT

This study was centered on youth unemployment and criminal activities in Nigeria: A Case Study of Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State. The main objective is to analyze the impacts of youth unemployment on criminal activities in Nigeria using Oredo Local Government Area,Edo State asa case study.  In order to achieve this objective, the study formulated and answered the following research questions, to what extent does youth unemployment result in armed robbery in Oredo Local Government Area?, how does idleness among youth result in criminal activities in Oredo Local Government Area? and what is the connection between youth unemployment and high crime rates in Edo State?. The study employed the survey research method and utilized questionnaire in generating field data. The sample of the study was 300 respondents selected from 6 communities in Oredo Local Government Area. The descriptive statistics of simple percentage was used in analyzing the data generated for the study. The findings showed that youth unemployment is a critical factor responsible for armed robbery, stealing of cell phones; Keke Napep in Oredo Local Government Area and that the years of negligence and adverse policies of the government led to armed robbery in Oredo Local Government Area which was indicated by majority of respondents. That idleness among youth contributes to criminal activities (high rate of prostitution, kidnapping, cyber crime), in Oredo Local Government Area and that there are no enough evidence to proof thatidleness among youth may account for high way rubbery in Oredo Local Government Area which was indicated by majority of respondents. That there is a connection between youth unemployment and high crime rates (yahoo business, money laundering, ritual killing and in Oredo Local Government Area and that there are no clear evidence to proof thatyouth unemployment may account for human trafficking in Oredo Local Government Area. based on the findings, it was recommended that Government should play a more committed role in youth empowerment schemes, skill acquisition, entrepreneurship development training among others to build the youths into responsible adults.