Unemployment crisis fuels crime, mental illness as Nigerians anticipate FG’s annual 2.5m jobs target
…We need jobs, not empty promises — Frustrated graduates cry out
…Rhetoric won’t solve poverty, unemployment — Experts warn FG
…FG exposes 1,618 civil servants with fake employment letters
…Fake recruitment agencies exploit desperate job seekers in Nigeria
By Sodiq Adelakun
In spite of numerous governmental initiatives aimed at tackling unemployment, Nigeria continues to face soaring joblessness, worsening poverty levels with far-reaching ramifications.
Reports indicate that the country’s population, currently the largest in Africa at approximately 229 million, is projected to surge to 401 million by 2050.
The rapid demographic expansion, fueled by a high birth rate of 37 births per 1,000 people and socio-cultural factors like early marriages and limited access to family planning, emphasises the urgency of effective employment strategies.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Education (OSSAP-TVEE).
This collaboration aims to enhance the ministry’s Labour and Employment Empowerment Programme (LEEP) initiative, thereby contributing towards achieving the government’s 2.5 million job creation target.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist, with unemployment’s ripple effects extending into increased insecurity, crime, and mental health issues across the nation.
Furthermore, recent reports indicate that youth unemployment remains a significant concern in many regions of Nigeria, with projections for Africa in 2024 estimating a youth unemployment rate of approximately 11 percent, according to Statista.
Recall that President Tinubu recently signed the 2024 Appropriation Bill at the presidential villa in Abuja. Following the signing, he emphasised the budget’s efficient implementation and rigorous monitoring to ensure accountability across all institutional mechanisms.
The budget’s key priorities include defence and internal security, job creation, macroeconomic stability, improving the investment environment, human capital development, poverty reduction, and social security.
Under the Social Development and Poverty Reduction Programme, the federal government allocated N534 billion, equivalent to 2 percent of the total budget.
However, Minister Abubakar Bagudu highlighted during the public presentation that the 2024 aggregate expenditure is estimated at N27.50 trillion, marking a 10.8 percent increase from N24.82 trillion in 2023.
Recall that Nigeria’s unemployment rate rose to 5 percent in the third quarter amid a cost-of-living crisis after the government scrapped a popular but costly petrol subsidy.
President Bola Tinubu has defended his two biggest reforms — the scrapping of the subsidy and foreign exchange controls — saying although this would lead to hardship in the short term, they are necessary to attract investment and boost government finances.
The unemployment rate rose from 4.2 percent in the previous quarter, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The jobless rate among young people aged 15-24 rose to 8.6 percent from 7.2 percent. Unemployment in the urban areas also rose marginally to 6 percent from 5.9 percent in the previous quarter.
Still, underemployment persists with 87 percent self-employed. Only 12.7 percent were in wage employment during the period.
The informal employment rate, which measures the proportion of workers in the grey economy, was little changed at 92.3 percent, according to the NBS, while the workforce participation also fell slightly to 79.5 percent from 80.4 percent in the second quarter.
In a concerted effort to tackle the pervasive issue of youth unemployment in Nigeria, the government has rolled out several ambitious programs, yet faces significant hurdles in achieving desired outcomes. Among these initiatives is the N-Power program, designed to provide job opportunities, skills development, and entrepreneurship training to unemployed graduates.
Another key program, the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN!), aims to empower young entrepreneurs through access to finance, business training, mentoring, and networking.
Despite substantial financial allocations to these endeavours, the exact figures remain unspecified.
Collaborations with international organisations such as UNICEF have also been forged, focusing on implementing social protection programs that include vocational training, scholarships, and apprenticeships for vulnerable youth.
However, these efforts have encountered criticism and challenges.
A prominent issue noted by NewsDirect is the significant gap between the skills possessed by job seekers and the evolving requirements of the labour market.
In a competitive job landscape, employers increasingly demand candidates equipped with a diverse and adaptable skill set, posing a formidable barrier to employment for many Nigerian youths.
A graduate of Education Management from the University of Ilorin, Temitope Adediran, has expressed her frustration and disappointment with the lack of job opportunities despite her academic achievement.
In an interview with NewsDirect, Adediran shared her struggles, saying, “I thought I had done everything right, but it seems my skills are not what the labour market wants.” She lamented being jobless for an extended period, describing it as a “never-ending nightmare.”
Adediran highlighted the gap between academic training and practical skills, stating, “We were taught theories, but not prepared for the demands of the labour market.” She emphasised that many graduates face the same challenge, urging educational institutions to revamp their curriculum to produce employable graduates.
Also, a graduate of Public Administration, Akinlisi Dorathy found herself working in an airport, a field seemingly unrelated to her area of study.
“I never imagined that I would end up working in an airport.
“After all, I had studied Public Administration in school and had always envisioned myself working in a government agency or a non-profit organisation.
“But life has a funny way of taking unexpected turns, and I found myself applying for a job at the airport after graduation.
“At first, I was a little apprehensive. I didn’t know anything about the aviation industry, and I wasn’t sure if I had the skills to succeed in such a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
“But I decided to take a chance and see where this new opportunity would take me.It wasn’t easy at first. I had to learn a lot of new things, from airport regulations to customer service protocols.
“But I was determined to do my best and prove myself as a valuable member of the team. I worked hard, asked questions, and sought out feedback from my colleagues,” she revealed.
Also, in a separate interviews with Bode, a tricycle operator in Command area, Lagos and Kunle David, who owns a Point On Sale( POS) shop in Agege, Lagos they share their experiences and their adamant to get a job after tertiary institution but failed ended up doing what they choose and describe as a means of survival till Nigeria gets better to start giving out the promised 2.5 million jobs to Nigerians annually.
Bode lamented, “Four years of university, countless nights of studying, and a fancy degree… FOR NOTHING! Can’t even get a decent job. The system is broken! Now, I’m reduced to pedalling a tricycle like a mere peasant, just to survive. The frustration is suffocating. I’m a graduate of Mathematics, for crying out loud, I deserve better than this humiliating struggle. The government and universities need to wake up and address this mess. We need jobs, not empty promises.”
Also, Kunle David, who owns a Point On Sale (POS) shop in Agege said, “Ah! The pain and anger I feel is unbearable! I was the best student in my department, Office Technology & Management at Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, but what did it get me? No job, no recognition, just a fancy certificate. I was forced to take a loan to start this POS shop just to survive. And you know what? It’s still a struggle.
“And to think that our so-called leaders promised us 2.5 million jobs annually? LIES! All they care about is their fat pockets and luxurious lives. They don’t care about the suffering masses. I’m tired of their empty promises!
“What I want from the government is ACTION! Provide us with real opportunities, not just empty words. Create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, not just for their cronies. We need empowerment, not handouts. We need jobs, not poverty.
“And to my fellow frustrated graduates, don’t give up! Take your destiny into your hands like I did. Start something, no matter how small. We can’t rely on these failed leaders. We must create our own future!”
The pervasive issue of unemployment among Nigerian graduates has been linked to an increase in crime and mental health challenges, exemplified by the case of Akeem Odunsi from the Sango community.
According to reports gathered by NewsDirect, Akeem, a graduate unable to secure employment, resorted to joining touts in begging for money.
The situation escalated to the point where he allegedly threatened individuals who refused to give him money, underscoring the desperation and potential risks faced by unemployed youths.
During a recent visit to Aro Psychiatric Hospital in Abeokuta, NewsDirect encountered a poignant example of the mental health toll worsened by Nigeria’s unemployment crisis. One patient, identified by hospital staff as an ‘educated mad man,’ reportedly spiralled into psychological distress due to his inability to secure meaningful employment.
According to sources at the hospital, the person’s prolonged unemployment led to excessive overthinking and stress, prompting him to resort to substance abuse as a coping mechanism.
Chief Operating Officer of A&B Steel Organisation, Tunji Kabeer, in an interview with NewsDirect revealed why many graduates struggle to secure employment.
“Frankly, most graduates lack the necessary skills and practical experience we need. They’re only armed with theoretical knowledge, which isn’t enough in today’s competitive market,” Kabeer stated.
He emphasised that his company requires graduates with specialised training, problem-solving skills, and adaptability, which are often lacking in many applicants.
“We want graduates who can hit the ground running, not those who need extensive training. Unfortunately, our education system hasn’t adapted to the changing needs of the industry,” Kabeer lamented.
…Rhetoric won’t solve poverty, unemployment — Experts warn FG
Experts have cautioned the Federal Government against relying solely on rhetoric to tackle the persistent challenges of poverty and unemployment in Nigeria.
Highlighting the urgency for concrete and effective economic policies, they emphasise that substantive action is crucial to make meaningful strides in addressing these pressing issues.
Renowned expert in risk management and insurance, Professor Tajudeen Yusuf, has urged the government to focus on boosting productivity in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to tackle Nigeria’s unemployment crisis.
Speaking at a presentation in Lagos, Professor Yusuf emphasised that SMEs’ productivity is key to integrating into global value chains, which is essential for economic growth and development.
“To tackle unemployment, we must prioritise SMEs’ productivity. This will enable them to participate in global value chains, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth,” Professor Yusuf said.
He also stressed the need for improved institutional quality, infrastructure development, and access to finance for SMEs to thrive.
An Associate Professor of Business Administration, KolaDaisi University, Ibadan in Oyo State, Olarenwaju Hassan called upon the Federal Government to adopt a more purposeful, deliberate, and strategic approach in its economic policies to effectively address poverty and unemployment in the country.
Hassan, who spoke in a research paper titled, “Taming the Twin Problem of Poverty and Unemployment for Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” explained that poor working conditions had led to an increase in the crime rate in the society.
The don said, “Nigerian government needs to be more purposeful, deliberate and strategic with their economic policy drive.
“Entrepreneurship development initiatives should be greatly encouraged and supported with the required financial resources to establish young graduates with robust self-employment initiatives as this will create viable means of gainful employment for young fellows, especially those being churned out of various tertiary institutions every year.
“Taming the twin problem of poverty and unemployment for sustainable development in Nigeria cannot be based on rhetoric but based on action; concrete action and consistent strategic action over time.”
Hassan lamented that despite the enormous and abundant natural resources such as crude oil, natural gas, gold, limestone, iron ore, coal, uranium, and others in Nigeria, the country has the largest share of its people living below the extreme poverty line in 2023.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Adeniyi Olatunbosun, called on the government to pay more attention to the adequate funding of education and scientific research for the sustainable development of Nigeria.
…FG exposes 1,618 civil servants with fake employment letters
In a significant revelation during the 2024 Civil Service Week Celebrations, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, announced that 1,618 civil servants have been identified with ‘fake/illegal’ employment letters through the ongoing verification exercise of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
Speaking at a media parley in Abuja, she disclosed that the exercise also successfully integrated 69,308 civil servants into the IPPIS after completing mandatory verifications.
Dr. Yemi-Esan emphasised the government’s commitment to enhancing the capacity and skills of civil servants, noting that 8,905 workers have undergone training under the Structured Mandatory Assessment-Based Training Programme. This initiative is part of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan aimed at bolstering efficiency and professionalism within the civil service.
Furthermore, she highlighted efforts to combat corruption within the civil service, revealing that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has initiated investigations into more than 3,600 public servants based on allegations of misconduct.
Dr. Yemi-Esan reaffirmed her resolve to uphold integrity and transparency in public service, urging continued support from all stakeholders in achieving these goals.
…Fake recruitment agencies exploit desperate job seekers in Nigeria
Investigations have revealed that dubious recruitment agencies in urban areas are taking advantage of unemployed graduates in Nigeria, promising them lucrative jobs in exchange for exorbitant fees.
These agencies, operating in cities like Lagos, Ogun, and Edo, collect registration fees and conduct aptitude tests, but fail to deliver on their promises.
Victims of these scams have come forward, sharing their experiences with fake recruitment firms like Ade Spar Supermarket. One Mr Sam allegedly collects N3,000 for registration and conducts aptitude tests, but fails to secure jobs for applicants.
Also, Job Seekers Gallery Group, handled by one Haryourdeji, demands payment from job seekers without providing employment.
In the same vein, Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim, said his ministry has developed new initiatives and restructured existing ones to meet the needs of youths as a result of the grave threat high unemployment rates pose to the nation.
Speaking at the 12th Youth Summit on crime prevention organised by African Youth Initiative in Lagos, Dr. Ibrahim also said the new initiative was aimed at sustaining solutions that address long-term challenges.
