1.1 Introduction
Leadership refers to the process of influencing and guiding individuals or groups toward the achievement of specific goals. in the context of this study, it emphasizes the role of political leaders and institutions in shaping policies that affect national development and employment opportunities (Northouse, 2018). Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping national development, particularly in addressing socio-economic challenges like unemployment and the mass migration of youths. In Nigeria, persistent leadership deficiencies have exacerbated the unemployment problem, pushing many young people to seek better opportunities in developed countries. The movement of Nigerian youths abroad, often referred to as "brain drain," has led to a significant loss of skilled manpower, which further hinders the nation’s development. Nigeria has faced numerous leadership challenges, particularly in the area of governance, that have stifled economic growth and job creation.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Historically, leadership and national development in Nigeria is rooted in the country’s colonial past and the subsequent challenges of post-independence governance. Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has experienced numerous leadership transitions, ranging from military dictatorships to democratic governments. These leadership shifts have greatly influenced the nation's socio-economic trajectory, particularly in relation to unemployment and the movement of Nigerian youths to developed countries. in the immediate post-independence era, Nigeria witnessed a promising start with economic growth fueled by its vast natural resources, especially oil. However, leadership problems soon began to emerge.
The first coup in 1966 set the stage for a series of military regimes that prioritized power consolidation over national development. As Osaghae (2002) points out, the military rulers focused more on their political survival than on creating sustainable economic policies, leading to economic mismanagement and corruption. This mismanagement, coupled with the oil boom of the 1970s, led to economic disparities and a lack of diversified economic opportunities, contributing to rising unemployment.
The leadership challenges in Nigeria have created a cyclical problem where inadequate policies fail to address unemployment, leading to migration, which in turn exacerbates the country’s development challenges. As Nwabueze (2019) notes, this migration pattern has significantly affected Nigeria’s workforce and economic potential, as many young professionals continue to seek better opportunities in more developed economies (Nwabueze, 2019). Leadership and national development are closely intertwined, as effective governance and leadership are fundamental to the socio-economic progress of any nation. In Nigeria, however, leadership challenges have continued to impede national development, particularly in addressing the issue of unemployment and the consequent migration of its youth to developed countries. Over the years, the country has struggled with high unemployment rates, poor governance, and inadequate economic policies, all of which have contributed to the flight of skilled and educated Nigerian youths to nations with better opportunities.
Nigeria has been endowed with abundant human and natural resources, which, if effectively harnessed, could have propelled the country to a leading position in global development (Adedeji, 2019). However, successive leadership failures, marked by corruption, mismanagement of resources, and poor economic planning, have stunted the nation’s growth. As noted by Adegoke (2021), the disconnect between the potential of Nigeria’s resources and the quality of its leadership has left many youths disillusioned, with limited access to employment opportunities.
The link between poor leadership and migration is evident in the fact that countries with stable leadership and robust economies tend to retain their talent, while nations grappling with leadership crises, like Nigeria, witness large-scale emigration (Olayinka, 2020). The leadership problem in Nigeria is also resulting in widespread dissatisfaction and disillusionment among the youth. According to Oladipo (2017), many young Nigerians feel disconnected from the national leadership, perceiving a lack of commitment to their well-being and future prospects.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the impact of leadership on the unemployment problem in Nigeria and its influence on the movement of Nigerian youths to developed countries.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the leadership crisis in Nigeria is a significant factor contributing to the persistent unemployment problem, which has led to the continuous migration of Nigerian youths to developed countries. Leadership failures in governance, including corruption, ineffective economic policies, and mismanagement of resources, have stifled the country’s economic potential. As noted by Akinola (2020), the lack of visionary leadership is responsible for the failure to create adequate employment opportunities, particularly for the growing youth population. This has resulted in high levels of youth unemployment, leaving many young Nigerians with little choice but to seek better opportunities abroad.
Additionally, the migration of Nigerian youths to developed countries is causing a loss of innovation, creativity, and human capital that is vital for national development. Ekeh (2018) argues that the departure of skilled professionals is weakening key sectors such as health, education, and technology, where there is already a shortage of expertise. This migration also creates a vicious cycle in which the loss of human capital further exacerbates unemployment, making it increasingly difficult for the country to achieve sustainable development.
Furthermore, unemployment in Nigeria is a pressing issue, with over 33% of the labor force unemployed, and the youth population is disproportionately affected (NBS, 2021). The inability of Nigerian leadership to address this issue effectively is contributing to the mass exodus of skilled and educated young Nigerians. The brain drain phenomenon is not only depleting the country of its human resources but is also negatively affecting its economic growth and development (Edo & Osadolor, 2019). Therefore, the leadership deficiencies in Nigeria are at the heart of both the unemployment crisis and the migration of Nigerian youths. The inability of the country’s leadership to create a conducive environment for job creation and retain its talent is undermining its national development efforts.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to critically assess the impact of leadership on the unemployment problem in Nigeria and its influence on the movement of Nigerian youths to developed countries. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To analyze the effects of youth migration on Nigeria's national development, particularly in key sectors such as healthcare, education, and technology.
- To evaluate the role of leadership in addressing unemployment among youths in the area under review.
- To examine the underlying factors driving the migration of Nigerian youths to developed countries.
- To assess the link between poor governance and the high unemployment rate in the area under study.
- To explore potential leadership reforms and policy interventions that could reduce unemployment and retain skilled professionals in the country.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- How does leadership influence the unemployment problem among Nigerian youths?
- What are the key factors driving the migration of Nigerian youths to developed countries?
- In what ways does the emigration of Nigerian youths impact the country's national development?
- How is poor governance contributing to the high unemployment rate in Nigeria?
- What leadership reforms and policy interventions are necessary to reduce youth unemployment and curb migration?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Youth migration has a negative impact on Nigeria’s national development, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, education, and technology
- H1: Youth migration has a positive impact on Nigeria’s national development, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, education, and technology
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is a negative relationship between poor governance and the migration of Nigerian youths to developed countries
- H1: There is a positive relationship between poor governance and the migration of Nigerian youths to developed countries
1.7 Significance of Study
The findings of this research will be significant for policymakers, as the study will offer practical recommendations for improving governance, creating job opportunities, and addressing the root causes of youth migration. It will also serve as a valuable resource for non-governmental organizations and advocacy groups working to promote good governance and reduce brain drain in Nigeria.
Additionally, this research will benefit academic scholars by filling gaps in existing literature on leadership and development in Nigeria, providing a foundation for further studies on how governance can shape national progress.
Finally, the study will offer Nigerian youths and the general public a clearer understanding of the challenges posed by poor leadership and will inspire efforts toward fostering better governance for the future development of the country.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the assessment of unemployment problem and movement of Nigerian youths to developed countries of the world with specific focus to leadership and problems of national development.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Delay in Response from Respondents: This delay impacted the timeline of the study, making it difficult to gather data within the anticipated timeframe.
- Financial Constraints: As the study required funds for travel, data collection tools, and communication, which exceeded the available budget. The limited financial resources restricted the scope of the study, making it difficult to reach a broader sample size across different regions of Nigeria.
- Time Constraints: The duration allocated for the research was not sufficient to cover all aspects comprehensively. This limitation affected the depth of the analysis, as the researcher had to work within a limited timeframe to meet academic deadlines.
1.10 Definition of Terms:
Leadership: Leadership refers to the process of influencing and guiding individuals or groups toward the achievement of specific goals. in the context of this study, it emphasizes the role of political leaders and institutions in shaping policies that affect national development and employment opportunities (Northouse, 2018).
National Development: National development encompasses the economic, social, political, and cultural progress of a country, aimed at improving the quality of life for its citizens. It involves efforts to enhance infrastructure, education, healthcare, and overall living standards (Todaro & Smith, 2020).
Unemployment: Unemployment is defined as the situation in which individuals who are capable of working are unable to find suitable employment. It represents a significant socio-economic challenge, particularly among youths, and is often measured by the unemployment rate, which is the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed (International Labour Organization, 2021).
Youth Migration: Youth migration refers to the movement of young individuals, typically aged 15 to 29, from their home country to another country for various reasons, including better job opportunities, education, or improved living conditions. This phenomenon often results from the search for better prospects in developed nations (World Bank, 2018).
Brain Drain: Brain drain describes the emigration of highly skilled and educated individuals from their home country to another country, often in search of better job opportunities and living conditions. This phenomenon can have detrimental effects on the home country's economy and development (Docquier & Rapoport, 2012).
