According to the National Bureau of statistics, as at December 2011, 23.9% of Nigerians were unemployed in comparison to the 21.1% in 2010 and 19.7% in 2009. Forecast has it that by 2013, the unemployment rate would be 29.00%; by 2014, the unemployment rate would be 31.60%, now what do you notice in this trend?
I guess we all notice that there is an increase and if necessary actions are not taken quickly, the rate of unemployment in Nigeria will continue to increase. Some of you might ask the question: HOW DOES THAT CONCERN ME? Indeed it is a valid question.
The total population of Nigeria’s labour force is 56.3% i.e. this is the percentage of people that greatly determine the nation’s economy. This implies that the remaining 43.7% of the population are dependent on the efforts of the labour force in the economy for survival.
Now let's try another dimension. By adding the unemployed population to the dependent population, we have 67.6% of the Nigerian population dependent on the remaining 32.4%, this is where you and I as the Nigerian youth come in - because we constitute the labour force.
According to the International Labour Organisation, the definition of a country’s labour force constitutes its economically active population aged 15 – 64; thus the remaining population is supposed to be dependent on our efforts in the economy for survival but the reverse seems to be the case. So what prospects lie herein? The present and future of Nigeria's economy is up to us.
We must remember that a lot of factors are responsible for this rate of unemployment. I would like to ask: Is it the Nigerian graduates that are unemployable or is the state of security in the country really helping matters, since foreign investors are being scared away?
I know a lot of us have other factors and questions we need to express. This is a platform for you to share your ideas and make your opinions heard. The question is HOW CAN WE SOLVE THE ISSUE OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA? Who knows if that idea you have is the best approach? SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!
- Olanrewaju Fasasi (olanrewajufasasi@gmail.com / @larhnre)
Hmm. Great one
ReplyDeleteTrue...very true...good one
ReplyDeleteNice one, unemployment need to be seriously addressed in this country
ReplyDeleteEver since I was born it's the same song everyday and the song tittle is UNEMPLOYMENT,
ReplyDeleteBut as for me I think self employment is the only solution to this situation.
The issue affecting unemployment among Nigerian youths or better still Nigerian graduates can be best resolved if only they can think entrepreneurially. It is high time for Nigerian youths to stand up and equip themselves skillfully, think of how to meet the needs of the society and not the other way round...*twinie*
ReplyDelete