Commonly referred to as the ‘Giant of Africa’ due to its large population, robust economy, and abundant natural resources, Nigeria is blessed with over 200 million people. Seventy percent of the population comprises youth who have high potential to contribute positively to the country’s economic growth.
With a huge percentage of youth in Nigeria’s population, the Nigerian government at all levels has failed to design a well-structured platform for the youth to operate. The country’s unemployment rate has reached alarming levels. Looking at the numbers, thousands of youth participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) annually, but have no assurance of securing a white-collar job after completing the scheme.
According to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), no fewer than 400,000 graduates participate in the scheme annually. Despite the NYSC’s efforts to promote national integration, affiliation, and collaboration among government agencies to make the country a better place, only few participants can be guaranteed a well-paying job, aside thousands who are not privileged to benefit from the NYSC scheme.
Many believe that the root causes of Nigeria’s unemployment crisis are complex and multifaceted, stemming from decades of neglect, corruption, and mismanagement that have led to a stagnant economy. According to some social commentators, the causes can also be attributed to inadequate infrastructure, a lack of investment in human capital, and the country’s over-reliance on crude oil.
The Federal Government and State Governors must take bold and decisive action to address the unemployment crisis. To achieve this, the government at all levels must invest in education and skills development, promote entrepreneurship and innovation, and create jobs through infrastructure development and industrialization.
There is a need to improve infrastructure development and industrialization by providing a comprehensive road network in both rural and urban areas to attract local and international investors.
The government also needs to foster a collaborative relationship with the private sector, civil society, and international partners to support job creation and stimulate economic growth. This can be achieved by encouraging public-private partnerships, attracting foreign investment, and accessing international funding and expertise.
Nigeria can create a brighter future for its youth and unlock the country’s full potential by creating an enabling platform for the youth to operate and thrive.
