YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT

Zhema Shishi, Adihikon Tanko Angyetsokwa

Abstract


Nigeria,  a  country  with  a  very  large  youth  population has  one  of  the  highest  unemployment  figures  in  the  world, despite  her  enormous  economic  potentials.  Successive  political  leaderships  have  tried  unsatisfactorily  to  address  Nigeria’s  unemployment  conundrum.  This  has  led  many  scholars  and  public  analysts  to aver that the unemployment situation in Nigeria is an albatross to national security. Taking cognizance  of  the  above,  this  paper  examines  the  dynamics  of  youth  unemployment  in  Nigeria  and  its  implications  for  national  security  and  development.  The  paper  argues that bad leadership, corruption, policy inconsistency, lack of sustainable youth empowerment    strategies,    failed    educational    system    accounts    for    the    high    preponderance  of  youth  unemployment  in  contemporary  Nigeria.  The  paper  further argues   that   youth   unemployment   in   Nigeria   has   significant,   albeit,   negative   implications for National security and development which include: increased wave of armed  robbery,  kidnapping,  terrorism/insurgency,  human  trafficking,  cybercrimes and  militancy  among  others.  Through  historical analysis of related literatures that  is  anchored upon frustration aggression theory, this paper,  using primary and secondary data arranged in a thematic order,  shows how previous youth policies in Nigeria have been  ineffectual  and  recommends  an  overhaul  of  Nigeria  youth  ministry  through  reforms, youth empowerment strategies and anti-corruption crusade.

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References


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