- NOA says 70% of Nigeria’s 80 million youths unemployed
- Most productive years lost to joblessness
- Call for empowering talent through engagement
Almost 70 percent of Nigeria’s estimated 80 million youths are currently unemployed, a staggering reality revealed by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) that spotlights a mounting social and economic crisis.
Eko Hot Blog reports that this disheartening figure highlighted during a national youth summit in Makurdi by NOA’s Benue State Director, Richard Abimiku means that the most productive phase of countless lives is being wasted. He noted that while many young Nigerians excel in ICT, sports, academics, and entrepreneurship, most remain undercalled and underutilized.
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“This is a bold but sobering statistic,” said Abimiku. “It’s heartbreaking to see our youth full of talents and promise struggling to find a purpose or place in national development.” He appealed to parents, leaders, and policymakers to nurture and mobilise youth capacity for the betterment of society.
Experts link youth unemployment to growing insecurity, social unrest, and migration trends. With many unable to secure formal jobs or gainful livelihoods, frustration brews fueling crime, agitation, and increased emigration. Analysts argue that without meaningful engagement, Nigeria risks losing its demographic dividend.
Straightfrom the summit’s floor: “We need more than statistics. We need strategies that harness our youth’s talent,” urged a young attendee who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We have ideas, but not always the resources, networks, or platforms to bring them alive.”
With the youth population constituting over 60% of Nigeria’s people, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Addressing this crisis demands more than short-term fixes Nigeria must pivot toward permanent frameworks that build skills, create jobs, and empower a could-be generation to contribute meaningfully.
As the nation watches and waits, young Nigerians face not just unemployment but the broader challenge of securing dignity, purpose, and a fair chance to shape their own futures.
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