• Report reveals officials conniving to misappropriate funds
• Urges govt to prioritise rural youth devt, create ‘business villages’ for economic growth
• Study wants funds channelled directly to beneficiaries, bypassing intermediaries

A new report has revealed that government efforts to empower young people in Nigeria are failing, with funds often ending up in the hands of corrupt officials instead of reaching those they are intended to help.

It also noted that despite facing significant challenges, young Nigerians remain determined to build successful lives and are eager for opportunities to improve their livelihoods.

The report by the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) highlights a critical breakdown in the system; financial support and empowerment initiatives from the government, donor agencies, and NGOs frequently fail to reach these aspiring young people due to alleged interference and misappropriation of funds by government officials.

The report, ‘Threatened Aspirations, Undaunted Resilience: Nigerian Young Women’s and Men’s Prospects for Livelihoods, Employment and Accountability,’ funded by the Mastercard Foundation and prepared by Babatunde Raphael Ojebuyi, Oluwafunmilayo Olarewaju Aminu, Oluwabusolami Oluwajulugbe, Ridwan Abiola Kolawole, and Oluwaseun Ayomipo, investigated the aspirations and resilience of Nigerian women and men regarding livelihoods, employment, and accountability during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

This multi-country research and policy project was conducted across seven African nations: Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Senegal.

Focusing on key aspects of youth empowerment, such as digital skills acquisition, business empowerment, agriculture, and job creation, the report recommended that funding for youth empowerment should bypass intermediaries and be channelled directly to the beneficiaries (the youth). It also stressed the need for effective monitoring mechanisms to ensure the grants are appropriately utilised.

The report highlighted the government’s role as a key stakeholder in supporting youth aspirations. It urged the government to strengthen markets for goods and services produced by young people, provide financing for private businesses, and expand training opportunities.

Given that youth constitute a critical segment of Nigeria’s population, the study stated that fulfilling their aspirations is essential to the nation’s economic growth, as they are the most active demographic. It noted that Nigeria faces unique challenges, including rising unemployment, policy inconsistencies, insecurity, ethnoreligious divisions, limited and unstable empowerment programmes, and a fragile political environment. The report called for evidence-based, sustainable approaches to youth development, considering their aspirations and resilience strategies.

The report urged the government to provide financial assistance for small businesses, agriculture, and the digital industry and to prioritise policies and interventions that empower young people in rural areas. It noted that Nigerian youth have demonstrated creativity, resilience, and adaptability, particularly during and after the pandemic, by engaging in agriculture, small businesses, and digital skills acquisition as survival strategies.

Also, the study recommended that the government collaborate with stakeholders to establish “Young People Business Villages” nationwide. These villages would serve as hubs for youth to engage in business activities, particularly agriculture and digital skills acquisition, for a specified period. The villages should have a constant power supply, internet access, restrooms, and adequate security to enhance productivity.

Additionally, the report urged government agencies and development financial institutions, such as the Ministries of Labour and Employment, the Bank of Industry, and the National Directorate of Employment, to create more dignified and fulfilling jobs, provide financial and advisory support to young people to establish businesses and organise vocational training programmes for the youth.

“The report recognised the government’s initiatives to tackle youth unemployment but stressed the necessity of a more collaborative policy-making framework. It suggested that the government and donor agencies should engage closely with young people and stakeholders to gather firsthand information on the actual needs of youth, rather than relying on assumptions.”

The report argued that insufficient focus has been on understanding youth aspirations, which would help inform more effective development interventions and policies. It called for scientific investigations to generate context-specific outcomes that would guide policy direction and provide empirical evidence for institutions, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and other stakeholders involved in youth development.

The study highlighted that young people in rural areas were particularly vulnerable during the pandemic due to limited access to digital technologies and business opportunities, which are more readily available in urban areas. This limited their capacity to adapt effectively.

It revealed that many young Nigerians are facing significant challenges, including unemployment, business threats, insecurity, and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It noted that Nigeria, with a population of approximately 206 million, is one of the world’s poorest countries, and over 70 per cent comprises young people.

Furthermore, the study noted that young people are naturally energetic and can be the most active and productive segment of any nation’s workforce if provided with the right opportunities and empowerment.

It concluded by stressing that Nigerian youth have shown remarkable resilience and perseverance in the face of daunting challenges. It noted that, unlike youth in other countries, such as Italy and Spain, who experienced high rates of depression, anxiety, and stress during the pandemic, Nigerian youth displayed agility, self-confidence, and resilience, enabling them to overcome obstacles and pursue their goals. The report also highlighted the ability of Nigerian youth to adapt to uncertainty by developing new approaches to problem-solving.

The study added that challenges remain despite Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to implement youth-focused policies and programmes in areas such as job creation, social welfare, and political participation. These challenges have significant implications for youth aspirations, resilience, and the pursuit of dignified livelihoods in the post-COVID-19 era.