The recent announcement by the federal government outlining a grand initiative to create five million jobs for Nigerian youths is undoubtedly a welcome sound to the ears of a demographic grappling with staggering unemployment. In a nation where the energy and potential of its young population are too often stifled by a lack of opportunity, such a bold promise offers a glimmer of hope.
However, while the ambition is commendable, the success of this initiative hinges critically on meticulous planning, transparent execution, and a genuine commitment to sustainable growth.
Indeed, the plan, which was announced by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, is designed to tackle youth unemployment and equip young Nigerians with the necessary skills for economic empowerment.
Olawande emphasised that the programme would be driven through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), a digital training platform to empower over seven million youths in two years.
He stated that the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, had set up strategic programmes, like the Labour Employment and Entrepreneurship Programme (LEEP), to facilitate job creation and skill development.
Olawande said this initiative is not just a promise; it is a practical step towards ensuring Nigerian youths have access to sustainable employment opportunities. He urged young people to leverage the platform for training in entrepreneurship, digital technology, and vocational skills.
According to him, the Five million Jobs initiative aligned with the government’s broader strategy to boost productivity and economic growth. Olawande said that with proper implementation, the programme would significantly reduce unemployment, drive innovation and empower young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national development.
In 2023, President Bola Tinubu’s regime also announced an ambitious plan to tackle unemployment by creating three million jobs for Nigerian youth through the 3 Million Technical Talent Programme.
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Technology, under Dr Bosun Tijani is driving the 3MTT Programme. While so much hype greeted its announcement, it appears the momentum is fast declining. Almost two years since launch, it will be very important for the Technology ministry to disclose developments made so far, especially the number of jobs created within the last one year.
Beyond the rhetoric, Nigeria’s youth unemployment crisis is not a new phenomenon. Years of economic volatility, inadequate investment in key sectors, and a mismatch between educational output and market demands have contributed to a situation where millions of young Nigerians struggle to find meaningful employment. The social and economic consequences are far-reaching, fueling frustration, hindering national productivity, and potentially contributing to social unrest. Therefore, any serious attempt to address this challenge deserves careful consideration and support.
According to checks, the unemployment rate stood at 5.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2024, representing a third consecutive increase since the second quarter of 2023. However, the underemployment rate fell from 12.3 per cent in 2023Q3 to 10.6 per cent in 2024Q1. As expected, the unemployment rate was higher in urban centres than in rural settlements. Consequently, Nigeria’s misery index – the sum of unemployment and inflation was 36.9 per cent in 2024Q1 from 30.5 per cent in 2023Q3. Nigeria has one of the world’s highest misery indexes, with many Nigerians experiencing a cost of living crisis and weak purchasing power due to rising inflation.
Specifically, in 2025, the youth unemployment rate in Nigeria is projected to be around 6.5 per cent, with 4.18 million youths aged 15-34 currently unemployed.
Pragmatically, youths are generally considered the bedrock, prime-mover and cornerstone for achieving progressive development in any nation. Once, youths are denied the opportunity to gainful employment, they easily turn to negative innovations that may be detrimental to the nation’s development. Youth unemployment has created huge industries for Yahoo Yahoo, kidnapping, ritual killings, cybercrimes and other societal vices, which continue to impact the general well-being of the economy and the people as a whole.
Unemployment as a social milieu will negate the socio-political, economic and educational development of the nation. However, the average Nigerian goes to sleep at night with one eye closed, which may lead to poor manpower development, physical harassment, delinquency, criminal activities, and psychological trauma as a result of civil unrest among others.
The Minister’s unveiling of the plan must be followed by concrete details. How will these five million jobs be generated? Which sectors will be targeted? What specific programmes and policies will be implemented to facilitate job creation and ensure the sustainability of these opportunities? Vague pronouncements, while politically expedient, will do little to alleviate the anxieties of unemployed youths.
Crucially, the initiative must move beyond mere job creation to focus on the quality of employment. Are these jobs expected to be in the formal or informal sector? Will they offer decent wages, benefits, and opportunities for career advancement? Creating a large number of precarious or low-paying jobs will not address the underlying issues of economic empowerment and social mobility.
Further, the initiative must be underpinned by a robust strategy that tackles the systemic challenges hindering youth employment. This includes investing in education and skills development that align with the needs of the modern economy, fostering an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and small businesses, improving infrastructure, and addressing issues of corruption and bureaucratic bottlenecks that often stifle economic growth.
The government should also learn from past initiatives aimed at addressing youth unemployment. Many well-intentioned programmes have faltered due to poor implementation, lack of transparency, and a failure to adequately monitor and evaluate their impact. This new initiative should prioritise accountability and ensure that resources are effectively utilised and that tangible results are achieved.
Collaboration will be key. The government cannot achieve this ambitious goal in isolation. Meaningful partnerships with the private sector, civil society organisations, and international development partners are essential. Engaging with young people themselves, understanding their needs and aspirations, and involving them in the design and implementation of these programmes will also be crucial for success.
The promise of five million jobs is a significant one, carrying with it the weight of expectation from a generation yearning for opportunity. The minister and the government now bear the responsibility of translating this vision into reality. This requires more than just rhetoric; it demands a clear, well-funded, and diligently executed plan that prioritises quality, sustainability, and genuine empowerment for Nigeria’s youth. The nation will be watching closely to see if this bold promise can finally pave the way for a brighter future for its most valuable asset – its young people.
