Youth Unemployment: A ticking time bomb

By Sirajaddeen Mohammed Bello

Another equally important area to work on is entrepreneurship. In a country where the labour market is fiercely competitive, why not encourage more young entrepreneurs? Our youths are teeming with brilliant ideas waiting to be hatched. Government support, access to funds and mentorship programmes can nurture these promising— budding business moguls.
In Nigeria’s many socioeconomic challenges, one issue stands out as the biggest threat, casting a gloomy shadow over both the present and the nation’s future. Youth unemployment is a subject that elicits head shakes, furrowed brows, and a sense of impending doom. But beyond the sombre tone, let me unravel the implications of this predicament and infuse a touch of hope— and, dare I say, a pinch of ‘humour’ into this all-too-serious a subject.
Youth unemployment in Nigeria isn’t just a problem, it’s an iceberg of colossal proportions. National bureau of statistics (NBS) stated that Nigeria’s unemployment rate rose to 33.3% as it stood at the rate of 4.1 percent in the first quarter of 2023; which translates to about 23.2 million people— youths majorly. Now, let’s face it, numbers don’t always tell the whole story. Picture this; some hundreds of thousands, nay, millions of mostly educated, bright young minds stuck in a seemingly endless and almost fruitless game of job hunting— a game where there are fewer opportunities and a mammoth crowd of players. It’s a perplexing paradox, navigating through such a complicated realm that occasionally resembles a labyrinth of bureaucracy and nepotism. Where these players could either be overqualified or in much cases, underqualified, creating a complex, ‘funny’ puzzle that baffles many— in a head-scratching manner.
Now, one might be wondering, why care about this one particular problem, youth unemployment. And even go on to declare it a “time Bomb”? Too strict a term? Well, let me draw you a vivid picture. A sizeable chunk of our youths are left idle, grappling with feelings of inadequacy, financial crisis and frustration. Do you think all will end well? No! This idle energy, if not given the needed attention and channelled constructively, can surely fester and lead to various social ills in unimaginably ugly ways. So, you see? It’s not just a ticking time Bomb: it’s an evil fuse that could ignite a powder keg of problems for this country.
It’s still not too late for the authorities to right this wrong. We’ve analysed the problem to an extent. Let’s talk solutions, because dwelling on problems only, without drawing out remedies is almost like writing a story with no plot. Nigeria’s youth is its greatest asset, brimming with creativity and untapped potentials. A serious country can’t afford to let this resource go to waste. More than ever. Now is the time to bridge the gap between the skills our youths (are assumed to) possess and the skills demanded by the labour market. Various vocational trainings (not the usual ‘crash’ workshops that hardly change a thing!) and education system tailored to market needs can play a very important role. The government and the stakeholders in the private sectors need to collaborate and determine what knowledge and skills young people should be taught in order to have rewarding jobs, taking into consideration how businesses are suffering from the skills mismatch. Government should play a more active role in promoting appropriate education and Capacity-building for the youth.
Another equally important area to work on is entrepreneurship. In a country where the labour market is fiercely competitive, why not encourage more young entrepreneurs? Our youths are teeming with brilliant ideas waiting to be hatched. Government support, access to funds and mentorship programmes can nurture these promising— budding business moguls.
Then technology and Innovation. Nigeria’s burgeoning tech ecosystem offers a great hope. The digital world is surely a place where opportunities abound; for a tech-savvy. Government should then invest in technology infrastructure and create an environment that supports innovation and startups, as well as training and mentorship for young people. These, and many other initiatives centred on progress and empowerment can go miles in addressing our plight.
The evil of unemployment in Nigeria is undoubtedly a ticking time Bomb, but it doesn’t have to detonate. By investing in skills development, nurturing entrepreneurship, promoting innovative empowerments and retaining our trademark diligence, among others, we can defuse this albatross and unleash the incredible potentials of our youths.

Sirajaddeen Mohammed Bello writes in from Yola, Adamawa state and can be reached at Nigeriasirajaddeenm2019@gmail.com