Youth Unemployment and Insecurity: Impediment of Nation- Building in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria’s population is estimated to be about two hundred million, out of which the youth population, (15 -35 years of age) is said to be 75%.. According to a recent World Bank statistics, youth unemployment rate is 38 per cent, but even this figure is considered conservative. It is estimated that about 60% of Nigeria’s youth population is either unemployed or underemployed, a situation that poses great danger to the Nigeria Society in terms of crimes and assorted social vices. This generation of young people faces the dual crisis of unemployment and insecurity. Such a large population of unemployed, unengaged, angry, sullen, unproductive youths in any society will constitute a menace and security risk because their lives appear hopeless and yet they are full of youthful energy. Recent studies suggest that unemployment rate in Nigeria has taken a shocking increase from 14 per cent in 2012 to 38 per cent in 2015. It also revealed that unemployment rate is undoubtedly contributed to the high wave of insecurity in the country. As a matter of fact, Nigeria has never had it so bad, for over five years now, in terms of insecurity and criminality. More worrisome is the fact that criminality and terrorism, which have further crippled the economic development of the country, are perpetrated by young people. Hence, this paper examines this phenomenon and calls for a comprehensive multi-dimensional plan of action to combat youth employment before its associated consequences become unmanageable and consume the Nigerian Society. It examines the issue of unemployment and juxtaposes this along side the broader issue of national security. It examines present problems of youth unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria, its causes, social and economic implications, and possible solutions. The paper asserts that youths should be properly trained to possess skills which are congruent with real labour market demands, which will invariably, create employment opportunities, that would make the youth become productive assets and take their place in mainstream societal development the society offer the best of their skills and talents rather than getting themselves involved in criminality.