Youth Unemployment and Security Challenges in Nigeria

Transcription

1 Youth Unemployment and Security Challenges in Nigeria Abubakar Isah Baba 1, Abdullahi Abubakar III 2 and Yahaya Umar Namahe 3 1,2 Public Administration Department, The Polytechnic of Sokoto State, Nigeria 3 Department of Social Development, The Polytechnic of Sokoto State, Nigeria Abstract The paper argues that youth represents a very important stake holder in any society. They are not only the future of Nigeria, but also useful resources in the Nation building. For the youths to become useful resources in the Nigerian project, they must be gainfully employed. However, what we see in Nigeria today is that, youths are engage in many anti-social activities such as political thug, militancy, restiveness and other social vices, evidence among the unemployed and joblessness youths are real danger to the peaceful co-existence of the country. This proper identifies the main causes of youth unemployment and its challenges in Nigeria; it also recommend that, young Nigerians should be trained to possess skills that are congruent with the real labour market demand. The youth should be involved in all the decision making process so as to minimize the costs of their exclusion and to ensure successful implementation of youth politics and programmes, credit and loan scheme should be put in place to enable young Nigerians secure loans to set up their small enterprises. Keywords: Youth Unemployment, Security Challenges, stake holders in society. Introduction Youth unemployment has become one of the serious socioeconomic problems confronting the country. The magnitude of this problem of jobless can be appreciated if accurate data on the number of jobless young people roaming the streets of Nigerian cities, towns and villages is available. Unfortunately, accurate statistics on youth unemployment are lacking. Neverthele3s, estimate by the international lab our organization (lb :1999) in sub-sahara Africa show that unemployment affects between percentage of the work force and out of these estimates young people comprises 40 to 75 percentage of the total number of the unemployed. {venatus K }. The problem of chronic youth unemployment is very evident in Nigeria. Every year thousands of 1 graduates are turn out from higher institutions for whom there are no jobs. This has affected youths in Nigeria from a broad spectrum of socioeconomic groups. Both the well and less well educated are affected, but more especially those from lowincome backgrounds and limited educated. Given the lack of employment opportunities and consequently the uncertain future, young Nigerians are forced to engage in unorthodox lively hood sources while others engage in casual work which is highly irregular. This paper therefore attempt to discuss youth unemployment and security challenges in Nigeria. To do this, the paper is fragmented into four parts. Part one is the introduction, part two discusses concepts of unemployment and security. Part three deals with the causes of youth unemployment, part four analyses the challenges of unemployment to Nigeria s security and part five concludes the paper. What is Unemployment? The concept of unemployment can simply be defined as a condition of people who are without jobs. The international labour organization (ILO) defines the unemployed as number of the economically active population who are without work but available for and seeking work, including people who have lost their jobs and those who have voluntarily left work (world Bank, 19988:63). To Adebayo (1999), unemployment exists when member of the labour force wish to work but cannot get jobs. Youth unemployment can also be described as the conglomerate of youths with diverse background within and able to work, but cannot find any with the lack of sufficient employment opportunities, young people may be compelled to engage in

2 casual work and other employment (Echebiri, 2005 gibb of Ceorge, 1990 Onah, 2001) as cited by (okafor. E, 2011). Various types of unemployment has been identified and elaborated upon in the literature. This includes seasonal, frictional, cyclical and structural unemployment. (obadan Odusol, 2001). Security Security refers to safely from harms, attack or damage. The term has different dimensions, in psychology public safety defers and military matters and information access. In finance, a security is a document representing an investment. The free online Dictionary gives six dimensions of security, these are 1. Freedom from risk or danger and safety. 2. Freedom from doubt, anxiety or fear, confidence 3. Something that gives or assures safety as : a. A group or department of private guards. b. Measures adopted by a government to present espionage, sabotage, or attack. c. Measure adopted as by business or home owner to present a crime such as burglary or assault. d. Measure adapted to present escape: security in the prisons is very light. 4. Something deposited or given as assurance of the fulfilment of an obligation, or a pledge. 5. One which undertakes to fulfil the obligation of another: a surety. 6. A document indicating ownership or creditor ship: a stock certificate or bond. In the same vein Collins English Dictionary views security as a state of being free from danger or injury, the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined condition. From the above discussions, one can understand that youth unemployment and security are linked together, in the sense that one could lead to another, that is if youth in the society are well employed, there will be peace and thus there will be security. 2 This assertion is supported by scholars, political office holders etc. For example, the present acting inspector General of polices has once said that to fight crime in Nigeria, we must fight unemployment. He expressed concern at the rate youth were resorting to crime as an alternative means to survive due to unemployment. In the same vein, the present minister of labour and productivity, chief Emeka Wogu has ever said that unemployment is one of the single largest contributing factors to insecurity in the country and called for broad base policy initiatives including the input and participation of security agencies as a way out of youth restiveness arising from joblessness in the country (vanguard Jan 2 nd 2012). Similarly, the Ondo state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko 2014 identifies mass poverty and unemployment as the greatest threat of Nigeria sovereignty. He said the greatest enemy in Nigeria is mass poverty, while unemployment has become a security issue. He added that, tackling unemployment is therefore, the greatest challenge of our generation. Furthermore, the former united state secretary of Defence Robert Mc Numara was once quoted as saying, Any society that seeks to achieve adequate military security against the background of acute food shortage, population explosion, low level of productivity and per capital income, low technological development, inadequate and sufficient public utilities. and chronic problem of unemployment has a false sense of security. Vanguard 19th July The above further shows how youth unemployment is directly linked to security. At this gesture, we need to ask a fundamental question, what causes youth unemployment? This brought us to the next part of the paper. Causes of Youth Unemployment In a study of unemployment in Nigeria Okafor 2011 cited Adebayo (1999), Alanan (2003), Awogbenle and Iwuamadi (2010), Ayinde (2008) Ezhebiri 92005) and morphy (2008) have identified the main causes of youth unemployment in Nigeria. These are; Firstly, there is rapid growth urban labour force arising from rural urban migration, rural-urban migration is usually explained in terms of push-pull factors. The push factors include the pressure resulting from man-land ratio in the rural areas and

3 the assistance of serious underdevelopment arising from the seasonal cycle of climate. The factors are further exacerbating in Nigeria by the lack of infrastructural facilities which makes the rural life unattractive. Youths move to urban areas with the probability of securing lucrative employment in the industries. Secondly, there is the rapid population growth going by the 2006 census in Nigeria, the nation population was put at 140,431,790 and projection for the future indicate that the population could be over 180 million by the year 2020, given the annual growth rate 3.2 percent (National Population Commission and ICF macro, 2009). It is argued that the high population growth rate has resulted in the rapid growth of the labour forces which is far outstripping the supply of jobs. Thirdly, is the outdated school curricula and lack of employable skills, some scholars and commentators have argued that as far as formal sector is concerned the average Nigeria graduate is not employable and therefore does not possess the skills needed by the employers of labour for a formal employment. This is attributed to the Nigeria s educational system with the liberal bias. The course content of must tertiary education In Nigeria lack entrepreneurial contents that would enable graduates to become job creators rather than job seekers. Fourthly there is the rapid expansion of the educational system which directly leads to increase in the supply of educated manpower above the corresponding demand for them. This contributes to the problem of the youth unemployment in Nigeria. The fact remain, that the Nigerian economy is too weak to absorb the large number of graduates being turned out by over 97 universities and other higher institutions, we have in the country. (Utomi, 2011). Fifthly, in Nigeria, there is no vibrant manufacturing sector which has the capacity to absorb unemployed youths. There are over 800 collapsed industries in Nigeria and over 37 factories have closed shops in 2009, about half of the remaining operating firms have been classified as ailing a situation that poses a great threat to the survival of manufacturing in the country in the next few years. (Okafor,E.2011). Lastly, there is the issue of massive corruption being perpetuated by successive military and 3 civilian administrations. Corruption has permeated the entire social structure of Nigeria and has robbed the country of developing a vibrant economic base. That is to say, the collaboration of the political elites, local and foreign contractors in the inflation of contract fees have robbed Nigeria of the chance of using more than $500 billion estimated revenue from the oil sale in the last 51 years to develop a vibrant economy that would have created jobs for the youths in various sectors of the economy (Okafor, 2005). Having seen the causes of youth unemployment in Nigeria, the next important.ssues of concerned is how has the unemployment scenario impacted on the country s peaceful co-existence? Youth Unemployment and Security Challenges in Nigeria From the discussion so far, it will be deduced that youth unemployment Las a lot of implications to security in Nigeria, one of the greatest threats to security in Nigeria is the large army of unemployed youths that has been created. These youths could be could be used for destabilizing influence in Nigeria by the politicians who may wish to capture power at all cost or unleash may to their opponent. The presence of large army of unemployed is clear case of failure of leadership to utilize abundant human and material resources in the country to create jobs that will engage the youths in productive and meaningful economic activities. (Adejumobi 201 L). Closely related to the above is that, the unemployed youths have become political thugs and blood thirsty hoodlums at he disposal of the politicians. That is to say, when a large of youths are unemployed their quest to survive may lead them to become willing tools in the hands of maverick and disgruntled politicians who may want to use them for anti social activities. The utilization and manipulation of mostly unemployed and ignorant youths to perpetuate post election violence during 2011 presidential election claimed over five hundred lives in especially states like Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Katsina and Gombe, (including over nine youth corps members on National assignment) and displaced over fifteen thousand person in the Northern parts of Nigeria this is a serious threat to security in the country. (Ibrahim 2011). Large army of unemployed have also been used as local militant to attack, born b, vandalize and

4 destroy oil pipelines, hire and property in the Niger Delta of Nigeria for more than a decade, this category of youths have constituted the larger population of the militants in the areas who have been terrorizing and kidnapping both the expatriate and local oil workers and demanding hefty ransom with this all kinds of kidnapping including those of the political oppon nt and or their relatives have spread to part of the country thus creating a general state of security. (Okafor 2011). Furthermore, there has been increase in the involvement of youth in various anti-social activities and offences as a result of unemployment Such offences includes arson, murder, abduction, stealing, armed robbery, sex offences, these shows that the Nigeria environment is not safe with large number of youths into anti-social and criminal activities largely as a result of unemployment. This has the potential to destabilize and truncate the peace and stability in Nigeria (Okafor, E ). Another serious implication of the Army of unemployed is the recent Boko Haram crisis. This issue started in 2009 and since then it has continue to claim the lives of hundred and thousand innocent citizens, this is apart from the destruction of properties worth million of naira. Many explanations have been given as to what gave rise to the Boko Haram Uprisings ranging from Religious, political, sectional and others. Regardless of what ever explanation given, unemployment is the key coursing factor of this uprising this is because, it is very easy to mobilize jobless youths to either join or partake in activities perpetuated by the Boko Haram sect. Example suicide bombing, attack on Banks, police stations, Religious places, government institutions and even markets. Conclusion From the foregoing, it is clear that, youth unemployment is a menace in Nigeria and constitutes a real danger and threat to Nigeria s security. This is because; these youth could be manipulated to undermine the stability of country s peace at any point in time. Against this back drop, there is the need by government at all levels and other stakeholder to embark on massive job creation to take these youth off the streets. Although there may not quick solution to this problem, but all the stakeholders must as a matter of fact do something urgently. This paper therefore suggests the following as some of the ways to tackle, youth unemployment problems. 4 Firstly, youth should be involved at all stages of decisions making process. The active participation of youth in economic, social and political processes will help to minimize the risk and cost of exclusion and then enhance the likelihood of youth policies and programmes being implemented successfully. Secondly, government must play its constitutional role by creating enabling socio-economic and political environment including provision of infrastructure to make industrial climate investment friendly. This will encourage investors to invest and thereby creates jobs in order to absorb the unemployed youth. Thirdly, there is need to reinvigorate and over haul room for entrepreneurial education so that the Nigerian tertiary education graduates will become job creators rather than job seekers. Teachers at all levels of education must be properly, adequately rewarded and motivated in this regard. Furthermore, government must not relax in the crusade against all forms of corruption in public and private lives in Nigeria. A comprehensive research should be conducted so as to put in place policies tiat would ensure a balance between the demand for jobs and the available jobs (demand and supply). Especially, the policies should aim at providing opportunities for youth to pursue sustainable livelihoods. On security, the Nigerian government should boost and motivate security agencies, and encouraging prior of investigation outfit, reduce the cost of contesting for political seats in the country. References [1] Abubakar, m. 2O12).To fight Crime in Nigeria, we must first fight Unemployment. Cruise Nigeria Monday 26th may 2012 [2] Adebayo, A. (1999).youth unemployment and National Directorate of Employment self Employment Programmes. Nigerian Journal of Economics and Social studies 41(1), [3] Adejumobi S. (201 1).Lessos Tunisia, Egypt and Sudan. The Gtadian Monday, 21 February Ayinde (2003).Empirical Analysis of Agricultural Growth and Unemployment in Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 3(7,), [4] Alanana,O.(2003).Youth Unemployment in Nigeria; Some Implications For the Third

5 Millemium. Global Journal of Social Sciences 2(1),21-26 [5] Echibiri,R. (200). Characteristics and Determinants of Urban youths Unemployment in Umuahia. Nigeria; Implication for Rural Development and alternatives Labour market Variables. A paper presented at the ISSER/ Corner / World Bank Conference on Shared Growth in Africa held in Accra, Ghana, July [6] Emeka,w. (2012). Unemployment heightens insecurity,vanguard 15thMarch [7] Ibrahim, I. (2011). Nigeria, a divided Country. Newswatch, 53(18), [8] Okafor,N. (2005).Youth Unemployment and implications for stability of Democracy in Nigeria Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa. (volume 13,no 1) [9] Onah,F. (200 1).ljrban Unemployment situation in Nigeria. In EO,Ezeani and N.N Elekan(eds). Issues in Urbanization and Urban Administration in Nigeria (pp ) Enugu, Taiwo Enterprises [10] Mimiko,O.(20 12).Unemployment,a security issue. Nigerian Tribune Wednesday 18Apr11 [11] Morphy,R. (200). Nigeria; Youth Unemployment, Poverty, a Time Bomb for Country. Leadership Wednesday 27Augut. [12] National Population Commission and ICF Macro,(2009).Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey Abuja Nigeria; National Population commission and ICF Macro. [13] Utomi, P. (201 L). Betraying the mission of the generation. The Guardian, Friday, 04 February [14] Venatus, K. (2010). Youth Unemployment in Nigeria; Causes and Political issues. Canadian Social Science Journal. Vol. 6(4), [15] World Bank (1998). 1998, World Development Indicators. Washington, D.C World Bank 5