Friday 24 August 2012

UNEMPLOYMENT AND ITS IMPACT IN NIGERIA

According to National Bureau of Statistic (NBS), the unemployment rate in Nigeria has increased to 23.9 percent for the year 2011, while its projected to rise above 25 percent for the year 2012.
Government policy on job creation especially among youths and graduates has fallen far short of meeting its target.  The environment remains unfriendly for employment generation as the Niger Delta Militant and Boko Haram continue to perpetuate evil of all kinds. Nigerian Human Development Index which stands at 0.423 is one of the worst in the world. According to the NBS about 69 percent of Nigerians live in relative poverty that is about 112 million of Nigeria’s population of over 160 million people.
In Nigeria, a privileged few are living in affluence while the majority are wallowing in abject poverty. Unemployment is leading to more girls being forced into prostitution. Since the government is not solving the problem, young teenage girls, undergraduates and graduates who are not gainfully employed, prostitute in the name of ‘hustling’. Interviewed female students from UNILAG, LASU and UI, submitted that they patronize ‘aristos' and other men as means to make ends meat and to support their families.
Unemployment in the country contributes to increase internet fraud and robbery. Able-bodied youths, male and female present themselves as international businessmen and women on the internet with the intention to carry out fraudulent acts while others rob for livelihood. Government should formulate concrete policies devoid of political interest that will revitalize our moribund industries and encourage locally made goods. Government should also tackle the security problem, with particular reference to Boko Haram palaver.

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