CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Statement of the Problem

One of the pressing challenges facing the Sub - Saharan African economies today is the trend of
unemployment that has been on the increase over the years. Also, unemployment is one of the
major challenges facing both developed and developing countries of the world. As it has been
phrased, the phenomenon of graduate unemployment (GU) in the developing countries
constitutes an unusual problem to both the labour market and the general economy of the
affected countries. Oye, Ibrahim and Ahmad (2011) argued that “the state of unemployment
demoralizes and increases the material need of those who are able and enthusiastic to work but
cannot find jobs”. While unemployment is a global phenomenon, yet it is more prevalent in
developing countries of the world, with resultant negative social, economic, political and
psychological consequences (Ayinde, 2008; Emeka, 2011). Specifically, Nigeria’s current
unemployment situation is erratic and fall short of expectations, such that a large percentage of
educated, able and qualified citizens cannot secure paid employment (Omotosho, 2009).

One of the major concerns of various administrations in Nigeria is the growing rate of
unemployment in the country and it has consistently forma part of the macroeconomic objectives
of the government for the past decades (Omotosho, 2009). According to the World Bank Report
of 1993; the growing trend of employment and productivity of the Asian Tigers and Japan is
responsible for their enviable and brilliant economic performances. But evidently, the absence of
the necessary framework to enhance employment and productivity level in Nigeria is the sole
cause of the retarded nature of Nigeria; the acclaimed giant of Africa. The negative trend and
problem of unemployment in Nigeria remains obstinate with a tendency of growing
geometrically at an alarming rate of 3 million unemployed youth annually (Adelodun, 2006).

According to Adebayo and Ogunrinola, (2006), argued that unemployment trend in Nigeria
affects job seekers within the ages of 20 – 24 and 25– 44 years more while there is fewer
prevalence of unemployment within the ages of 15 –19, 55 – 59 and 65 years and above. The rate
of open unemployment was 12% in March2005; it rose to 19.7% in March 2009 while the rate of
underemployment hoveredaround 19% in 1998 (According to the National Bureau of Statistics,

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2010). From this statistics, it is apparent that unemployment, particularly the unemployment of
young graduates, hinders Nigeria’s progress in so many ways. Aside from its economic
implications, it also creates imminent danger for the political stability of the country (Ipaye,
1998). Consequently, massive youth unemployment as it is presently recorded in Nigeria port
end a serious multifaceted problems and the threat of unemployment has gradually been
acknowledged as a pressing challenge facing Nigeria (Ipaye, 1998, Udu & Ugu, 2005).

Umaru and Zubairu (2011), also noted that unemployment has been recognized as one of the
major impediments to social-economic growth in most developing countries. For example, it
reduces the aggregate output of the economy and results in underutilization of human resources.
The need to avert the negative effects of unemployment has made the tackling of unemployment
problems feature very prominently in the developmental objectives of many third world
countries.(Omotor & Gbosi, 2006). The issue of real output and employment growth in
developing nations is a sine qua non for poverty reduction and a more equitable income
distribution (Fofana, 2001). Omotor and Gbosi (2006) noted that the seriousness and nature of
unemployment in Nigeria is relatively high when placed on the same pedestal with those of other
African countries. According to them, in absolute terms; it is estimated that there are presently
about 22 million youths unemployed in Nigeria.

This work attempted to show that youth unemployment constitutes a serious socio-economic
problem in Nigeria and is really a tragic condition that requires urgent and proactive attention.
Indeed, it is alarming and worrisome to observe that Nigeria’s graduates who are educated, able
and willing to work cannot find jobs. The situation is becoming hopeless, as the rate of
unemployment keep rising without proactive attempt to curb the menace (Kayode, Samuel &
Silas, 2014).

For example, a cursory look at the state of the nation, shows more danger for the country with
the declining likely hood of young graduates becoming gainfully employed; especially with the
trend of events in the country, including the falling oil prices, economic recession and insurgency
in the Northern parts of the country among other factors. As a matter of fact, unemployment is
one of the major developmental challenges facing Nigeria at the moment (Ipaye, 1998).

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Obadan and Odusola (2010) noted that the prevalence of unemployment in Nigeria especially in
the 21st century is getting deeper and more worrisome spreading through all phases of age
groups, educational levels and geographical spread.

The challenges of lingering youth unemployment are very obvious in Nigeria, because every
year thousands of graduates are turned out for whom there are no job opportunities (Emeka,
2011). The Nigerian labour market is characterized by youth hawkers who typically would have
found beneficial employment in some organizations (Echebiri,2005; Uwoma, 2006). Given the
large percentage of unemployed youths, the trend of unemployment is capable of destabilizing
national peace as it portend a serious security threat for Nigeria’s nascent democracy.
(Adepegba, 2011).

Youth Unemployment also has negative psycho-emotional consequences on the physical well-
being of the affected. The unemployed have a high tendency to experience such feelings as
downheartedness, melancholy, anger, acrimony and mortification (Goldney 1997). In addition,
different forms of anti-social behavior including deceit, fraud, robbery and ferocity usually occur
in a society with a large number of unemployed populaces. Reynolds (2000) also identified other
forms of mental and health disorders, such as drug abuse, sexual assault, unwanted pregnancies,
prostitution, and psychosomatism as being associated with youth unemployment.

Also, compounding these challenges; is the absence of reliable statistics on the level of youth
unemployment, as no organization has so far produced precise figures presenting the current
youth unemployment rate in Nigeria (Udu&Agu, 2005). On most occasions, the figures released
by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and the World Bank, appeared contradictory. The
reason, alluded to the contradiction in employment statistics according to Raheen (1993), is the
fact that only “open unemployment” is recognized and published by the official statistics. A
review of extant statistics reveals that most studies conducted on Nigeria’s youth employment
nature and structure situations have been largely devoted to unemployment and its determinants
and/or its impacts on economic growth (Adebayo & Ogunrinola, 2006; Omotor & Gbosi 2006).
This paper therefore argued that there is a serious gap between the research and the official
publication devoted to the investigation of the socio, economic and psychological effects of
unemployment in Nigeria. Therefore, the incomplete solutions offered to address this gap

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motivated this study and also emphasized the negative effects of unemployment on economic
growth; it traumatizing effects on young Nigerians and the failure of the appropriate government
agencies to specify the exact cause of unemployment that is peculiar to Nigeria.

Corruption, which has permeated the entire social structure of Nigeria, has robbed the country of
developing a vibrant economic base. Funds meant for development projects have been
misappropriated, diverted, or embezzled and stashed away in foreign banks, while incompetent
and corrupt bureaucrats and administrators managing public enterprises and parastatal have
bankrupted these organizations (Okafor, 2010). The point here is that the collaboration of the
political elites, local and foreign contractors in the inflation of contract fees have robbed Nigeria
of the chances of using more than $500 billion estimated revenue from crude oil sales in the last
50 years to develop a vibrant economy that would have created jobs for the youths in various
sectors of the economy. The ruling(political) class has failed because it has replaced the vision,
policy and strategy, which should be the thrust of national leadership with transactions (contract
award and other mundane money-related activities), as each successive government continue to
take turns to prey on the nation’s wealth, by using public power, resources, good will, utilities,
instrument of abuse, for personal gains thereby, crippling the economy and worsening youth
unemployment which has led to abject poverty, hunger and frustration.(Okafor, 2005).

1.2 Statement of Purpose

The purpose of this work is to examine the relationship between corruption and high rising youth
unemployment in Nigeria in which corruption more than any other single factor has been and is
still responsible for Nigeria’s poverty

1.3 Thesis

The thesis of this essay argues that whatever the demographic statistics and the political myopia
of the ruling class may assume, Nigeria is still confronted with the social dynamics that requires
not only the relevance of the Nigerian youths but also their manifest destiny in the rehabilitation
of the national project.

1.4 Scope and Limitation

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The scope of this philosophical research on "Philosophical Reflections on Youth Unemployment
in Nigeria" includes an examination of philosophical concepts underlying youth unemployment,
such as work, justice, and education, aiming to understand its root causes and ethical
implications. However, it's important to note that philosophical inquiry may not provide concrete
policy solutions, and limitations include constraints on available literature and variations in
philosophical perspectives across contexts, necessitating interdisciplinary collaboration for
comprehensive solutions.

1.5 Methodology

The methods of research that will be adopted in this research is analytical method, critical
evaluation method of research.

1.6 Sources of Materials

The material for this essay shall be obtained from the library of the Department of Philosophy,
Olabisi Onabanjo University, University of Ibadan library and SS Peter and Paul Seminary.
Other materials to be consulted shall include journals, articles and textbooks.

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Statement of the problem

1.2 Statement of purpose
1.3 Thesis
1.4 Scope and Limitation
1.5 Methodology
1.6 Sources of Materials

CHAPTER TWO: CLARIFICATION OF CONCEPTS

2.1 Concept of Youth

2.2 Concept of Unemployment

2.3 Concept of Poverty

2.4 Social Exclusion

CHAPTER THREE: DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES IN NIGERA

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3.1 Concept of Development

3.2 Country Profile

3.3 Nigeria’s recent Economic and Socioeconomic Trajectory

3.4 Social and Economic Implications of Youth Unemployment and Poverty

3.5 Developmental Issues in Nigeria

CHAPTER FOUR: PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTIONS ON YOUTH

UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA

4.1 Addressing Youth Unemployment and Poverty through Social Investment Programme in
Nigeria

4.2 Redesigning Education Curricula as a Panacea for Unemployment and Poverty Reduction in
Nigeria

4.3 Moral Education: Panacea for a free and stable Nigerian Society

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Summary

5.2 Conclusion

Bibliography

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Ayinde, O. E. (2008). Empirical analysis of agricultural growth and unemployment inNigeria,

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