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In Nigerian cities, idle youth roam the streets instead of seeking productive activities. The scene in Ladipo Motor Spare Parts market in Lagos, where a young man pursued a potential customer, highlights this issue. The high youth unemployment rate, approximately 53.40 percent according to the National Bureau of Statistics in 2022, drives many young people to engage in activities like street games due to a lack of job opportunities.

A March 2023 report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism ranked Nigeria as the world’s second-worst country for youth unemployment, with 53 percent unemployed, trailing only South Africa with 61 percent youth unemployment. Despite the growing number of unemployed youth, efforts to improve employment opportunities have been insufficient.

Youths In Action, a youth-focused NGO, emphasized that Nigeria’s job creation hasn’t kept pace with its large population, especially its youth population, which accounts for 70 percent of the total. Some blame the reluctance of older individuals to vacate positions and opportunities that could help reduce youth unemployment.

Implementing reforms like the Stephen Oronsaye Report on Restructuring and Rationalization of Federal Government Parastatals could open up more opportunities for young people.

The Stephen Oronsaye Report, a comprehensive 800-page document, aimed to reduce government expenses and infuse fresh talent into the federal workforce to enhance efficiency at all levels. However, resistance from those who believed it would not benefit them has prevented its implementation. Issues like ghost workers, unrecorded deaths, and individuals collecting multiple salaries from both federal and state governments persist, limiting job opportunities for youths who struggle with unemployment.

Experts, like Ayomide Aderigbe, argue that addressing these challenges would open up more job opportunities for young people who are currently unemployed and struggling. Aaron Nnodi, a former commissioner in Abia State, emphasizes the need to overhaul the system to remove unnecessary personnel, ghost workers, and those with multiple paid employments.

Monday Ochulo, a youth leader in Delta State, laments the favoritism shown to the children of the elite in job placements, while qualified but less privileged youths are left jobless. Ononye Ikediashi, a lawyer and entrepreneur, acknowledges the difficulty of challenging the entrenched interests that control job opportunities in the country. He believes that sustained efforts and a refusal to accept crumbs from politicians can bring about change.

In the face of a worsening economy and rising unemployment rates, many argue that unseating those occupying jobs meant for youths, increasing youth quotas, and providing more job opportunities for disadvantaged youths are essential steps to address the youth unemployment crisis.