YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA: A DATA-DRIVEN PERSPECTIVE
Youth unemployment continues to be one of the most pressing issues in Nigeria. With the majority of the population being young people, the challenges of securing decent job opportunities affect not only individuals but also the wider economy and social fabric of the nation. Although the National Bureau of Statistics reported a decline in unemployment to 5.0% in Q3 2024, this figure does not fully capture the realities faced by many young Nigerians. ResearchGains conducted a survey to gather perspectives directly from citizens to better understand the drivers of youth unemployment and the possible solutions.
Employment Status
In this survey, 66% of young Nigerians identified themselves as unemployed while 34% said they were employed. This finding points to the scale of the problem and highlights that unemployment remains a major barrier to youth development in Nigeria. `
Education and Skills Gap
When asked whether the Nigerian education system prepares youths adequately for today’s job market 48% of respondents said No, 34% said Yes, and 18% said Partially. This indicates a significant gap between what is taught in schools and the skills required in the labor market. Additionally, 44% of respondents highlighted lack of relevant skills as the main limitation when seeking jobs followed by lack of opportunities at 32% and lack of connections at 22%.
Corruption and Nepotism in Recruitment
The survey also revealed that the major challenge causing unemployment was corruption and nepotism in recruitment. 68% of respondents said it very significantly affects youth unemployment while 28% said it somewhat significantly contributes. Only 4% believed it plays no role. This reflects the urgent need for transparent recruitment processes that prioritize merit over favoritism.
Entrepreneurship as a Solution
Despite the challenges, there is optimism about entrepreneurship. 66% of respondents believe entrepreneurship is a realistic solution to youth unemployment while 18% disagreed and 16% were unsure. This shows that many young Nigerians view entrepreneurship as a viable pathway to financial independence and employment generation.
Neglected Sectors for Job Creation
Respondents also identified sectors that have been overlooked in creating jobs for youths. Agriculture was selected by 42% as the most neglected sector, followed by creative industries at 22%, manufacturing at 14%, technology at 12% and public service at 10%. This suggests untapped potential in agriculture and creative industries for large scale job creation.
Focus of Government in Job Creation
When asked whether the government should focus more on white collar jobs or vocational opportunities 68% of respondents said both should be equally supported. 24% preferred a focus on white collar jobs, while 8% leaned toward blue collar and vocational jobs. This reflects a growing recognition of the importance of vocational and technical skills for sustainable employment.
Key Drivers for Reducing Youth Unemployment
Respondents also identified the single most impactful change that could reduce youth unemployment. 34% pointed to stronger support for entrepreneurship 30% chose expansion of vocational and technical training 16% highlighted anti-corruption enforcement in recruitment 14% emphasized an overhaul of the education system while 6% pointed to foreign investment in job creation.
Conclusion
The findings from this survey reveals the multifaceted nature of youth unemployment in Nigeria. The mismatch between education and market needs, corruption in recruitment and lack of opportunities remain major barriers. At the same time optimism about entrepreneurship and recognition of neglected sectors like agriculture and creative industries highlight clear pathways for solutions. Policies that expand vocational training encourage entrepreneurship and enforce transparency in recruitment will be crucial to addressing this challenge. ResearchGains continues to provide data driven insights that elevate the voices of Nigerians and inform strategies that can create meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities.
Visit ResearchGains for data driven reports and analysis. Additional global perspectives on youth employment can be found through the International Labour Organization at https://www.ilo.org and UNICEF at https://www.unicef.org.
