YOUTH PERSPECTIVES ON WAYOUT OF UNEMPLOYMENT ISSUE IN NIGERIA

YOUTH PERSPECTIVES ON WAYOUT OF UNEMPLOYMENT ISSUE IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Nigeria, like most developing countries around the world, is plagued by a slew of issues, including poverty, terrorism, political instability, and, most importantly, unemployment. In recent years, the increased unemployment rate has impacted many young school leavers who are of working age but are unable to find work. According to Dabalen et al. (2000), graduate unemployment accounted for approximately 32% of the unemployed labor force between 1992 and 1997. This has compelled the Nigerian government to implement programs aimed at addressing the country’s unemployment problem since the 1960s. One of the cardinal objectives of the first developmental plan was to provide employment; an objective that aimed not only at creating employment but also at training people.

skills that will meet the challenges of an ever dynamic economy. The aforementioned was indeed the impetus for the establishment of a number of employment programs such as the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Family Economic and Advancement Programme (FEAP), Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP), National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), National Economic Empowerment and Development Scheme (NEEDS), and many other similar programs funded by various stakeholders such as state governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector.

Unemployment is one of the developmental issues confronting every developing economy in the twenty-first century. According to Agu (2008), there has been an exponential increase in youth unemployment in the country. According to him, the country’s youth unemployment has caused serious problems.

that previous and succeeding administrations have been unable to find a long-term solution. Although successive governments in Nigeria have implemented several programs to address the problem of youth unemployment and poverty since independence, evaluation of the various contributions of such programs remains limited in comparison to the massive amount of resources committed to them (Egware, 1997). According to Yakubu (2010), youth employment and poverty alleviation programs implemented in recent decades have failed to confront the multidimensionality of poverty because most of these programs have been unable to respond to the precise needs of the poor. Programmes such as the NDE, FEAP, Better Life Programme, NAPEP, and NEEDS have all been affected by common issues such as insufficient funding, project duplication, gross inefficiency, and ineffectiveness.

Poor program coordination, corruption, and a lack of transparency

Nigeria’s current unemployment situation is erratic and falls short of expectations, resulting in a large proportion of educated, able, and qualified citizens being unable to find paid work (Omotosho, 2009). This indicates that Nigeria has steadily slipped from its once-dominant and prestigious position among developing countries (Ipaye, 2008). One of the major concerns of successive Nigerian administrations has been the country’s rising unemployment rate, which has been a consistent component of the government’s macroeconomic objectives for decades (Omotosho, 2009). According to the World Bank Report (2003), the Asian Tigers’ and Japan’s growing trend of employment and productivity is responsible for their enviable and brilliant economic performance. Evidently, The absence of the necessary framework to increase employment and productivity levels in Nigeria is the sole cause of the country’s sluggishness. The trend and problem of youth unemployment in Nigeria persist, with a tendency to grow geometrically to an alarming rate of 3 million unemployed youth per year (Adelodun, 2006). The trend of unemployment in Nigeria has had a devastating effect on youths from a wide range of socioeconomic groups, both educated and uneducated, despite the fact that it has primarily affected a sizable proportion of youths from less privileged backgrounds (Ipaye, 2008). According to Adebayo and Ogunrinola (2006), the unemployment trend in Nigeria affects job seekers between the ages of 20 and 24, as well as those between the ages of 25 and 44. While unemployment is less prevalent among those aged 15 to 19, 55 to 59, and 65 and older. In March 2005, the rate of open unemployment was 12%; by March 2009, it had risen to 19.7%, while the rate of underemployment hovered around 19%. (National Bureau of Statistics, 2010). From this vantage point, it is clear that unemployment, particularly among young graduates, impedes Nigeria’s progress in numerous ways. Aside from the economic issues, it also poses a serious threat to our dear country’s political stability (Ipaye, 2008). As a result, massive youth unemployment as it is currently recorded in Nigeria portends serious multifaceted problems, and the threat of unemployment has gradually been recognized as one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges (Ipaye, Udu and Ugu, 2005). According to Umaru and Zubairu (2011), one of the major impediments to social-economic growth in most developing countries is unemployment. It reduces the economy’s aggregate output and leads to underutilization of human resources. The need to avoid the negative effects of unemployment has made addressing unemployment issues a prominent feature of developing countries’ development objectives (Omotor & Gbosi 2006). In developing countries, real output and employment growth are required for poverty reduction and more equitable income distribution (Fofana, 2001). According to Omotor and Gbosi (2006), the seriousness and nature of unemployment in Nigeria is relatively high when compared to those of other countries. unemplother African countries. According to them, in absolute terms, there are currently approximately 22 million unemployed youths in Nigeria.

1.2      STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Unemployment is a serious socioeconomic problem in Nigeria, and it is a tragic situation that requires immediate and proactive attention. Indeed, it is alarming and concerning that Nigerian graduates who are educated, capable, and eager to work cannot find work. The situation is becoming hopeless as the unemployment rate continues to rise in the absence of any proactive efforts to combat the problem (Kayode, Samuel & Silas, 2014). A cursory examination of the country’s state foreshadows greater danger, with declining chances of young graduates finding gainful employment, consistent with the trend of events in the country, most notably falling oil prices, economic recession, insurgency in the country’s northern regions, among other factors. In fact, unemployment is on the rise. one of the major developmental challenges facing Nigeria at the moment. (Obadan and Odusola (2010) discovered that the prevalence of unemployment in Nigeria, particularly in the twenty-first century, is becoming more pathetic and spiteful across all age groups, educational levels, and geographical spreads. The challenges of persistent youth unemployment are very visible in Nigeria, where thousands of graduates turn out each year with no job opportunities (Emeka, 2011). Nigerian labor markets are overburdened with young hawkers who could have found useful work in some organizations (Echebiri, 2005; Uwoma, 2006). Given the high proportion of unemployed youths, the trend of unemployment has the potential to destabilize peace by posing a serious threat to nascent democracy. blatant disregard for political parties (Adepegba, 2011).

1.3     OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The primary goal of this study is to discover the perspectives of Nigerian youth on ways out of the unemployment crisis. More specifically, the study intends to:

1. Determine the causes of unemployment in Nigeria.

2. Examine the consequences of youth unemployment in Nigeria.

3. Discover youths’ perspectives on ways out of unemployment in Nigeria.

4. Offer a solution to Nigeria’s youth unemployment problem.

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTION

1. What are the reasons for unemployment in Nigeria?

2. Does youth unemployment have a significant impact on Nigeria?

3. What is the youths’ perspective on a way out of unemployment in Nigeria?

4. What is the solution to Nigeria’s youth unemployment problem?

1.5     RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Ho: Youth unemployment has no significant impact on Nigeria.

Hello, there are no significant consequences of youth unemployment in Nigeria.

1.6     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Unemployment in Nigeria has been a topic of discussion. Many policies and measures have been implemented to control unemployment, because it wastes the productive years of the active population; additionally, the research will aid in reducing the declines in our economic growth.

It will provide information to the Nigerian government as well as young people who have ignored agriculture in favor of white-collar jobs.

Furthermore, it will provide useful information to the government in order to combat unemployment and create job opportunities in Nigeria. Finally, the study will be used as a resource for future research.

1.7      SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to discover the perspectives of youth on unemployment. Alausa/Ikeja LGA will be used as a case study, and youth in the LGA will be the population for this study.

1.8       DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Obtaining funding for general research work will be difficult during the course of study. Correspondents may also be unable or unwilling to complete the questionnaires provided to them.

However, it is expected that these constraints will be addressed by making the best use of available materials and devoting more time to research than is necessary.