1.1 Introduction
Nation building, which refers to the structured effort to create a unified, economically vibrant, and socially harmonious society, relies heavily on the active engagement and participation of its youth. Unemployment undermines this process, fostering inequalities, eroding trust in governance, and contributing to social instability (Eze & Okafor, 2019). Unemployment remains a pervasive and critical issue worldwide, particularly in developing nations where youth form a significant portion of the population. It is not merely a socioeconomic challenge but also a developmental concern with profound implications for the growth and stability of a nation. The phenomenon of unemployment, defined as the inability of individuals to secure gainful employment despite being willing and able to work, disrupts economic systems and undermines the potential of youth, who are often described as the driving force of societal progress (International Labour Organization [ILO], 2020).
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
The Nigerian economy since the attainment of political independence in 1960 has undergone fundamental structural changes resulting to structural shifts which have however not resulted in any significant sustainable economic growth and development to ensure adequate employment opportunity for her youths. According acknowledged Akpabio, (2005:332) and Gobeli, (1995:122). Over time, the roles of the youth in national development have been. As they continue to play pervasive roles in nation building, the youth by definition have been regarded as that segment of the population from 18-35 years (National Policy of Youth Development, 1999) who are characteristically active, vibrant, daring and with useful energies. The development of the Nigerian nation from pre-colonial to independent and post-independent era has been attributed to vital contribution of the youth. Despite their positive roles in national development, they constitute the most critical and volatile segment of the society. The worsening economic situation in Nigeria from the austere periods to the SAP and Post-SAP era has threatened the collective psyche of the youth. General unemployment, lack of consistent policy framework for youth development, general economic hardship among others have thrown the youth into joblessness, agents of social vices and general idleness. As their conditions worsen, they have been used as agents of political thuggery and general misadventure. Moreover, they have become the major agents in social conflicts with diverse and devastating consequences in the nation. As their negative and pervasive roles continue to impact on the economy, several strategies of youth empowerment have been evolved over time. The strategies have, however, yielded little or no results as their activities have consistently imposed serious threats to social security, truncated economic activities and severe drainage of national income.
Youth unemployment is becoming an increasingly troublesome issue in many parts of the world. In Nigeria, it has become one of the most serious socio-economic problems confronting the country. The magnitude of this can be appreciated if accurate statistics could be obtained from the Federal Bureau of Statistics on the number of unemployed youths roaming the streets of Nigerian cities. However, Awogbenle and Iwuamadi (20101:33) observed from the excerpts of statistics obtained from the National Manpower Board and Federal Bureau of Statistics showed that Nigeria has a youth population of eighty (80) million representing 60 percent of the total population of the country. Sixty four (64) million of them are unemployed while one million six hundred thousand (1.6 million) are underemployed. Unemployment has become a major problem bedeviling the lives of Nigerian youth causing frustration, dejection and dependency on family members and friends, who also have their own problems to contend with. The high rate of unemployment among the youths in Nigeria has contributed to the high rate of poverty and insecurity in the country. Unemployment is worldwide economic problem, causing poverty and lack among the young once. In recent times, there have been notable adverse social, economic and political developments in Nigeria, a consequence of youth unemployment and underemployment, particularly exemplified by increasing militancy, violent crimes, kidnapping, restiveness and political instability. The Nigerian situation is further compounded by the recent global financial crisis that has crippled businesses and the prospect of securing jobs for young people (Fanimo and Olayinka, (2009:66). According to Adejumola and Tayo-Olajubulu (2000:163) contended that unemployment has been identified as one of the major causes of social vices, including armed robbery, destitution, prostitution, political thuggery, kidnapping and many more. Musari (2007:299) corroborated this statement by saying that about 4.5 million enter the labour market every year without any hope of getting employment for life sustenance. The precarious situation has left the youths in a vicious cycle of poverty that daily erodes their self-confidence and bright future.
For most developing countries like Nigeria, Governments and policy makers are increasingly finding it difficult to grapple successfully with youth unemployment. This high rate of unemployment can be blamed on the lack of adequate provision for job creation in the development plans, the ever expanding educational growth and the desperate desire on the part of youths to acquire University education irrespective of course and course contents. As a result, a number of skills acquired from the University appear dysfunctional and irrelevant (Okafor, 2011:307). In Nigeria, the federal government in 2008 acknowledged that about 80 percent of Nigeria's youth are unemployed and 10 percent underemployed (Daily Trust, 2008). In 2011, the Minister of Youth Development, Bolaji Abdullahi reported that 42.2 per cent of Nigeria's youth population is out of job. Depo Oyedokun, the Chair of the House Committee on Youth and Social Development revealed that of the over 40 million unemployed youths in the country, 23 million are unemployable and therefore susceptible to crime, hence the need to articulate what could be done to salvage the situation. The pace is increasing because most graduates lack relevant marketable skills. More than half of the Nigerian populations are under the age of 30 (National Population Commission, 2001). Therefore it can be asserted that the economy of Nigeria is a youth economy (Oviawe, 2010:88). Expectedly, today's youth will become in a short decade tomorrow's parents, leaders, labour force and armies. However, the Nigerian youths are said to be confronted with poverty, unemployment, urbanization, lack of capacity and skills needed to move the economy forward. This is because the youth faces unemployment and lack of necessary productive skills to keep body and soul together. A national survey jointly sponsored by NUC and the Education Trust Fund (ETF) in 2004 sought to determine the labour market needs. The study revealed that 44 percent of the 20 organizations rated Nigerian science graduates as average in competence, 56 percent rated them as average in innovation, 50 percent rated them average in rational judgment, 63 percent as average in leadership skills and 44 percent as average in creativity. On needed skills like literacy, oral communication, information technology, entrepreneurship, analytical, problem-solving and decision making, 60 percent rated them as poor. By any standard, the above statistics reflect a poor assessment of Nigerian university graduates and further buttress the argument that Nigerian university graduates are unemployable (Okafor, 2011:310). Resultantly, the lack of employment potential makes crime a more attractive option for some Nigerian university graduates. This is because in Nigeria it is common to find some graduates still roaming the streets, five years after graduating in search of jobs that are not thereby lending force to crimes such as armed robbery, car snatching, pipeline vandalization, oil bunkering, and prostitution among the youths. This critical skill gaps inhibits the development of youths and the entire development of the nation, as more than half of the Nigerian populations are under the age of 30. This is dependent on the fact that Nigeria's population is predominantly youth Oviawe, J.O. (2010:66). Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the impact of unemployment on youth development and nation building.
1.3 Statement of Problems
This study has tried to establish that youth unemployment is a growing challenge of all in selected local government in Ebonyi state as well as the Nation as a whole. Policies to tackle youth unemployment have tended to focus on how youth are different from other workers. They are less skilled, less experienced and have very limited business contacts. Thus skills training and vocational education constitute the majority of interventions to date. However, many of these training programs have had disappointing outcomes. Youth unemployment in Ebonyi State is a multi-dimensional problem that needs to be addressed on macro basis.
Youth unemployment in Ebonyi State is more of a demand side problem. There are not enough jobs to go round. Increase in the demand for labour will move the economy along the demand curve, thereby increasing wages and employment. The demand for labour in an economy is derived from the demand for goods and services. If the demand for goods and services in the economy increases, the demand for labour will increase. This may be described as classical unemployment. Youth unemployment can be reduced if the following interventions and recommendations are creatively implemented in the selected local government areas.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The primary aim of this study is to examine the impact of unemployment on youth development and its broader implications for nation building. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To evaluate the role of government policies and initiatives in addressing youth unemployment and fostering nation building.
- To explore the effects of unemployment on the personal and professional development of young people.
- To assess the contributions of the private sector in creating employment opportunities for young people.
- To analyze the causes of unemployment among youth and its relationship to socio-economic factors.
- To propose practical solutions for reducing youth unemployment and enhancing their participation in nation-building efforts.
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:
- What are the primary causes of unemployment among youth, and how do socio-economic factors contribute to the issue?
- How does unemployment affect the personal growth and professional development of young people?
- What role do government policies and initiatives play in addressing youth unemployment and promoting nation building?
- How effective is the private sector in providing employment opportunities for young individuals?
- What strategies can be adopted to reduce youth unemployment and enhance their contribution to nation building?
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.
- H0: Unemployment does not significantly impact youth development or their ability to contribute effectively to nation building.
- H1: Unemployment significantly impacts youth development and their ability to contribute effectively to nation building.
1.7 Significance of Study
The findings of this research will serve as a crucial resource for educators, helping them to design relevant programs and curricula that equip young people with the skills needed to thrive in the labor market. Also, the research will inform business leaders and employers about the economic and social benefits of investing in youth employment, encouraging them to create more opportunities for young workers.
Furthermore, it will assist youth advocacy groups in advocating for initiatives that promote job creation and skills development, ensuring that the needs of young people are addressed in national development plans.
Finally, the findings of this research study will benefit the youth themselves by raising awareness of the challenges they face and highlighting the need for collective efforts to create sustainable employment opportunities, fostering a more empowered and engaged generation.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the impact of unemployment on youth development and nation building using Some selected Local Government Area in Ebonyi State as a case study.
This research study is limited to Afikpo, Ivo and Ikwo alone where the researcher wants to find out the impact of unemployment on youth development and nation building.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
A study of this nature is bound to experience certain problems as such the constraints imposed on the research include:
- Time: A study of this nature needs relatively long time during which information for accurate or at least near accurate inference could be drawn. The period of the study was short, time posed as constraints to the research.
- Cost: The research would have extended the survey to other area at the empirical level, but limitation as included cost of transportation to the source of material and the cost of time setting of the already completed work.
- Lack of Cooperation: Many of the respondents are usually aggressive on issue that border cooperation among the respondents border.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Unemployment:
Unemployment refers to the state in which individuals who are capable of working, are actively seeking work but are unable to find any work (International Labour Organization [ILO], 2020). It is often used as an indicator of economic health, as high unemployment rates can reflect a struggling economy.
Youth Development:
Youth development refers to the process through which young people acquire the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that enable them to become responsible, productive, and engaged members of society. It includes personal, social, and professional growth that prepares individuals for adulthood (United Nations, 2016).
Nation Building:
Nation building refers to the processes of constructing or structuring a national identity using the power of the state. It involves fostering a sense of shared purpose, values, and institutions that promote unity and national development (Smith, 2009).
Youth Unemployment:
Youth unemployment specifically refers to the proportion of the youth population (typically aged 15-24) that is without work, yet actively seeking employment. This demographic is often more vulnerable to economic fluctuations and job market challenges (World Bank, 2018).
Economic Development:
Economic development is the process by which the overall health, wealth, and academic levels of the general population improve. It is often marked by improvements in GDP, literacy rates, and the reduction of poverty (Todaro & Smith, 2011).
Social Mobility:
Social mobility is the ability of individuals or groups to move within a social hierarchy, which may include changes in income, education, and occupation (Breen, 2010). High levels of unemployment among the youth may hinder social mobility, limiting their access to opportunities for advancement.
Brain Drain:
Brain drain refers to the emigration of highly skilled or educated individuals from one country to another, often due to lack of employment opportunities or economic stagnation. This phenomenon can further hinder youth development and nation-building in countries facing high unemployment (Docquier & Rapoport, 2012).
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