Seventy-three per cent of young Nigerians are considering emigration due to unemployment, limited economic opportunities and poor access to capital, a new survey has shown.

The Nigerian Youth Pulse Survey unveiled in Abuja at a dialogue organised by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and its Youth Advisory Committee to mark International Youth Day, found that most respondents were not seeking to leave the country for a foreign dream but in search of jobs, skills and sustainable livelihoods.

Among respondents seeking stable incomes, 60.9 per cent identified lack of capital and access to finance as their biggest obstacle, while 49.1 per cent cited inadequate job opportunities. Skills gaps accounted for 42.7 per cent of responses, while 37.3 per cent blamed a weak business environment, including high interest rates and limited access to credit.

The survey, which covered more than 100 young Nigerians, also showed that the desire to leave could change if economic conditions improve. About 85.5 per cent of respondents said they would prefer to remain in Nigeria if better economic opportunities were available.

The Netherlands’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Bengt van Loosdrecht, said the findings showed that young Nigerians wanted functional systems and opportunities at home rather than an exit route.

He said unemployment ranked above insecurity as a major driver of the country’s youth emigration trend, adding that a stronger economy with more opportunities could persuade more young Nigerians to remain in the country.

The survey also linked unemployment to insecurity, with respondents supporting a “jobs before policing” approach to national security. They argued that economic exclusion contributes to vulnerability to crime alongside weak law enforcement.

To address the funding gap, the report urged the government and financial institutions to develop more inclusive financing models for young entrepreneurs by reducing collateral requirements and simplifying loan applications.

It also recommended greater use of mobile technology and mentorship programmes to expand access to finance.

On employment, the report called for a shift from training programmes focused mainly on certificates to programmes that lead directly to income. It recommended stronger partnerships between employers and training providers, paid work-based learning and commercial agribusiness initiatives.

The report further proposed entry-level hiring quotas and tax incentives for companies that employ young Nigerians.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement (North Central), Abiodun Essiet, said the findings could help shape government policy and called for greater inclusion of women in youth-focused platforms.