Nigeria, a nation brimming with youthful energy and potential, is grappling with a crisis that threatens to derail its progress due to mass unemployment among the youth.
With an 8.6 per cent unemployment rate, youth unemployment has far-reaching implications for the country’s stability, economic growth, and social fabric. The violence that marred the August hunger protest in some parts of the country is a reminder that decisive actions must be taken now.
Nigeria has one of the youngest populations globally, with about 140 million of the country’s population. This number, if harnessed effectively, could propel Nigeria into a period of unprecedented economic growth and development.
However, the flip side of this coin is a burgeoning youth population without adequate employment opportunities, lacking the technical know-how to utilise the country’s mineral resources.
There is no doubt that the consequences of mass youth unemployment are dire. It fuels social unrest like we witnessed recently, it increases crime and criminality among young people. When young educated minds are left idle, the nation loses valuable assets, leading to brain drain as talented individuals seek opportunities elsewhere.
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Therefore, the above narrative is a pointer that industrialists like Alhaji Aliko Dangote have a lot to do in curbing this time bomb. Staying aloof from the current situation bedevilling the country won’t yield any good. The industrialists, in my opinion, hold the key to unlocking the potential of the nation’s youth.
A strategic partnership between the private sector (represented by accomplished industrialists) and the government (through the National Youth Service Corps) can be a game changer. What should be paramount in the partnership is how to integrate young graduates into the workforce through structured internships.
While the objective of NYSC is to foster national unity and development, the scheme can also be made to serve as a bridge between college and industry. This can be done by mandating that a portion of NYSC placement be within the private sector, particularly in large corporations depending on fields of study. Then the scheme can provide invaluable on-the-job training for young graduates.
This approach offers several advantages, such as skill development, most especially practical skills and experience relevant to the job market. The companies would also have access to young talented individuals made available through the NYSC. If this scheme is effectively managed, it will reduce social unrest and reasonably tackle unemployability( a situation whereby there aren’t qualified people for certain job positions).
Unemployment in Nigeria demands bold and decisive action. It’s therefore incumbent upon the nation’s industrialists to step up and fulfil their corporate social responsibility by partnering with the NYSC and other relevant stakeholders. They can create a sustainable pathway to employment for millions of young Nigerians. Youth empowerment is one of the ways to invest in the nation’s future. Let us heed the call and join hands in transforming our nation’s youthful demographic.
