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YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY IN NIGERIA: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, AND SOLUTIONS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Youth unemployment and poverty are intertwined socio-economic issues that continue to undermine the development potential of Nigeria. Despite being Africa's largest economy, the country faces challenges of job creation, particularly for its burgeoning youth population. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria's unemployment rate rose to over 33% in the first quarter of 2021, with youth unemployment accounting for nearly 53% of the total unemployed population (NBS, 2021). This growing crisis has severe implications for both individuals and society at large, leading to increased poverty, social unrest, and economic stagnation.

The youth population, which comprises individuals between the ages of 15 and 35, makes up about 60% of Nigeria’s total population (World Bank, 2020). With such a significant proportion of the population unable to secure gainful employment, the economic and social implications are profound. Youth unemployment not only exacerbates poverty but also increases the vulnerability of young people to engaging in criminal activities, drug abuse, and violent extremism (Afolabi, 2020). In many cases, unemployed youths become disillusioned, feeling disconnected from their communities and the broader society, which contributes to the escalation of crime rates in urban centers (Adesina, 2019).

Nigeria’s youth unemployment problem is largely driven by several structural factors. First, the nation's educational system has been criticized for not equipping graduates with the skills required by the labor market (Adeyemi, 2021). Many graduates leave school without practical knowledge or skills that can be applied to gain employment, particularly in sectors like technology, agriculture, and manufacturing, where there are growing opportunities (Olusola, 2019). This skills mismatch has led to a situation where the demand for skilled labor far outpaces the supply, leaving many young people unable to find jobs, even in industries that are hiring.

Another major contributing factor is the lack of industrialization and economic diversification in Nigeria. Despite its oil wealth, Nigeria’s economy remains under-diversified, with the majority of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture or informal sectors for livelihoods (Bello, 2020). This economic structure has not been able to absorb the large number of young people entering the labor market each year. Moreover, the oil sector, which contributes significantly to government revenue, employs only a small percentage of the population, meaning that the wealth generated does not translate into widespread employment opportunities (Oladipo, 2021).

The consequences of youth unemployment are dire, particularly in relation to poverty levels in the country. Poverty in Nigeria is a persistent problem, with over 40% of the population living below the poverty line of $1.90 per day (World Bank, 2020). Youth unemployment is one of the major drivers of this poverty, as unemployed individuals lack the means to support themselves and their families. This often leads to intergenerational poverty, where children born into poor households are more likely to remain in poverty due to limited access to education and economic opportunities (Ojo, 2021).

In addition to poverty, youth unemployment has been linked to increased social instability in Nigeria. The rise of militant groups such as Boko Haram and the Niger Delta Avengers has been partly attributed to the high levels of unemployment among youths in the northern and southern regions of the country, respectively (Ezeh, 2020). Frustrated by the lack of opportunities, many young people in these regions have been recruited into armed groups, exacerbating the cycle of violence and insecurity that plagues the country.

Addressing youth unemployment and poverty in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach. Government policies aimed at promoting job creation, particularly in sectors that have the potential to absorb large numbers of workers, are essential. Initiatives such as the Youth Empowerment and Social Support Operation (YESSO) and the National Social Investment Program (NSIP) have been introduced to tackle youth unemployment, but their effectiveness remains limited due to issues of corruption, poor implementation, and insufficient funding (Abdulraheem, 2021). Furthermore, efforts to reform the education system and provide vocational training that is aligned with the needs of the

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