[View the story "Nigeria: the young and the jobless" on Storify ]Nigeria: the young and the jobless
Nigeria grapples with increasing unemployment and a growing population.
Storified by The Stream · Wed, Jul 04 2012 09:54:59
Nigeria is home to the richest and fastest growing economy in Africa. Despite the title, a quarter of the population is unemployed and more than half live on less than a dollar a day.
Nigeria’s current annual growth is around 7 percent, which puts it on track to overtake slower growing South Africa as Africa’s Number 1 economy. That, in itself, should make the country more of a target for investment over the longer term. It is currently considered “frontier”, which is a small pool when it comes to investment flows.For now, though, it is as Chijioke writes: “The makeover may give the country financial bragging rights, but will change little for the millions trapped in poverty.”
According to the
National Bureau of Statistics , this is not only an urban problem. Unemployment affects just over a quarter of those in rural communities.
Courtesy: National Bureau of Statistics, NigeriaAJstream
Many have pointed out the need for an educational overhaul.These numbers indicate that even with a bachelor's degree or technical equivalent, the unemployment rate can still exceed 25 per cent.
Courtesy: National Bureau of StatisticsAJstream
The number of educational institutions in the country grew steadily in the last decade, implying a demand for higher education. And although more people are going to school, the unemployment rate has not dropped.
Courtesy: National Bureau of Statistics, NigeriaAJstream
There is no shortage of people with strong opinions on Twitter:
We tend to disregard the dilapidated nature of our education system, but always blaming politicians for our shortcomings #education #NigeriaAminu Bakari
The problem in Nigeria is not lack of jobs, but d fact that people can't defend their degrees. Poor education system. Corruption ultimatelyRaymond
Once upon a time 32% of Nigeria GDP was allocated to free education, now we spend 0.7% on it. How sad.Seun Awolowo
Nigeria education is a way of sending children away from home...Adetayo Akintunde
This video touts the vocational training at the
University of Nigeria , where one professor insists that it could change the face of unemployment in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
Workforce problems in Africa - Professor Benjamin Ogwo, University of Nigeriamicrodocumentaries
Although recent data shows some 1.5 million more people entering the workforce since 2009, job-seekers have not experienced change.
Courtesy: National Bureau of Statistics, NigeriaAJstream
Without jobs, many in Nigeria turn to the widespread hawker business, in which they sell goods in the street and promote their merchandise by shouting for attention.
unemployment in Niger Delta,Nigeriatifeowolabi
Joe Femi-Dagunro, president of the
Nigerian-German Business Group (NCBG) says a lack of appropriate infrastructure and incentives are to blame for the high unemployment rate.
Youths And Unemployment In Nigeriajangolatv
Nigeria needs good institutions managed by good people. The most basic needs Transport, Power, Healthcare, Education still elusiveiWatch Nigeria
If money voted to different sectors of our economy, is efficiently and effectively utilize Nigeria unemployment would reduce.INWANG Edem Etor
The Nigerian government has pledged to
add 1.3 million new jobs in the Information Communications Technology sector by 2015.
Courtesy: National Bureau of Statistics, NigeriaAJstream
Some say they haven't seen any steps toward that pledge, only the opposite:
All we hear is government will create jobs. All we see is sacking of employed staff. #NigeriaOptimistic Muhammed
First Bank of Nigeria yesterday sacked over 600 of its workforce. = 5,600 bankers sacked in the last three weeks in Nigeria.Ediong
So many Bankers are loosing their jobs these days. I guess Banking is no longer a stable job in Nigeria. Think out of the box. #TakechargeDele Ibikunle
In establishing a
sovereign wealth fund last month, the government, among other things, said it aims to invest in badly needed infrastructure.
ABUJA, June 25 (Reuters) - Nigeria's powerful state governors said on Monday they had approved federal government's proposal to launch a sovereign wealth fund with an initial $1 billion, ending months of political wrangling.
Nigerians say the problems lie much deeper:
Level of unemployment, street begging is increasing in Nothern Nigeria, what 'r d Governors from d region doing wt funds frm FED ACCOuNT?Munir Mohammed
Because Nigeria lacks the leaders and inititatives to effectively use its natural resources to create jobs for its citizens!Swity
Crime rate going up, corruption, killings, kidnapping, unemployment, prices all going up, Hmm d only tin that comes down in Nigeria is rainIbraheem A. Jiya
People look for money not jobs #NigeriaChioma
Many young people roam the streets trying to make a living selling whatever they can.
SERIOUS NIGERIA STREET HAWKERS !! - BattaBox.combattabox
Chronic unemployment has been linked to increased crime rates. Some even suggest that it may also be one of the factors driving people to join
Boko Haram :
The nigeria nation is treathened more today than ever before. Unemployment starvation poverty are the fueling factors to the boko haramtunde abioye
NIGERIA: Leadership Tragedy + Youth Unemployment + Official Corruption + Govt Profligacy = Boko Haram TerrorismFemi Olabisi
Curb corruption and injustice, create employment and BH will be a thing of the past in Nigeria" Elders told IG.Hassan Hussain
If Nigeria president know what is doing , is first priority is to create employment, because that is the security,Anti Goodluck
Others still have hope that Nigeria can develop into a strong, self-sustaining nation:
Indicators such as double digit infationary rate, increasing youths unemployment, poor majority and particularly unsecure environment for living and business may be showing that 'Nigeria is A Failed State'. I don't agree! It is not over on us. The fact that our leaders could not make use of our natural and human resources does not indicate 'the end' of the Nigeria-nation. However, we must arise and take our destiny by our hands. It is obvoius that currently there's no direction. I can tell you, change is around the corner!You're the change we need. Make a positive impact today.Paul Alaje
This cartoon on a Nigerian blog highlights "
Yahoozey ", a dance step which also refers to online scams. Many in Nigeria find it's a relatively easy way to make a little money.
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"Yahoozey" is considered a less harmful alternative, but it is widespread among those who have nothing else to do.
In the case of Yahoozey, we have large number of youth (future leaders), who are into Yahoozey. They have seen it as livelihood since the government have no means of empowering them. Even a little child of six years knows or have seen some of our leaders on television or on the pages of newspaper been arraigned for misconduct or malfeasance, so what do you think is the faith of that little boy.
