Implication Of Unemployment On The Socio Economic Development Of Nigeria
Implication Of Unemployment On The Socio Economic Development Of Nigeria
Abstract
The study examined the implication of unemployment on the socio economic development of Nigeria. The study indicated that youth unemployment has many negative effects to the society, economy, family, and individuals. From the response got from the questionnaires revealed that youth unemployment leads to poverty, low productivity, losses in foreign direct investment, low revenue generation, rural urban migration, illicit activities which increases insecurity, anti-social activities such as armed robbery, prostitution, political thuggery, violence, kidnapping, restiveness and other social vices evident among the unemployed youths and this constitutes danger to the stability, growth and development of the state. The research concludes that, addressing the problems of youth unemployment, must involve all stakeholders. Suggestions from the analysis therefore, are that effective policy measures such as re-prioritization or revitalization of agricultural sector, reformation of educational system, provision of enabling environment and building of industries be pursued vigorously which will drastically reduce unemployment and poverty as well as eradicate the menace of youth unemployment in Ivo, Ebonyi State and Nigeria as a whole.
Chapter One
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Unemployment which is now the talk of the day has a lot of implications on the Nigeria social and economic development. Mostly as it relates to Ivo local government which is one among the thirteen local government in Ebonyi state. Ivo local government falls under Ebonyi state south central zone with town like: Akaeze, Ada, Ishiagu, Home town of the federal college of agriculture ishiagu etc.
According to the central bank of Nigeria (2003) the National rate of Unemployment rose from 4.3% in 1970 to 6.4% I 1980. The high rate of Unemployment observed in 1980 was attributed largely to depression in the Nigeria economy during the late 1970’s specifically, the economic down town led to the implementation of stabilization measures which included restriction on export, which caused import dependency of most Nigeria Manufacturing enterprises, which in turn resulted in operation of many comprises below their installed capacity. This development led to the close down of many industries why the survived few were forced to retrench a large proportion of their work force.
Furthermore the Nigeria Government also placed an embargo on employment, it is important to state here that the structural adjustment programmed (SAP) adopted in 1986, had serious implication on employment in Nigeria as the rate of Unemployment declined from 2.1% in 1982 to as low as 1.8% in 1995 after which it rose to 3.4% in 1996 and lowered between 3.4 and 4.7% between 1996 and 2006.
According to a survey of 1974 reported by Aigbokham (2000). Graduate Unemployment account for les than 1% of the Unemployment in 1974, the proportion rose 4% for urban areas and 2.2% in the rural areas. It is impressive to note here that in 2003, Nigerian Unemployment rate declined substantially to 2.3% this declined was attributed to the various government effort aimed at addressing the problems through poverty alleviation programs.
Recently, the federal government accepted word bank figure of 40million, 28.57% unemployed people in Nigeria though there were no details of how the bank arrived at that Figure the admission by the ex-monitor of labour, prince Adelokumbo, Kayode that we do have such an Unemployment crisis is enough to give credence to the report.
Overall, unemployment in Ebonyi State has affected youths from a broad spectrum of socio-economic groups, both of well and less educated, although it has particularly stricken a substantial fraction of youths from low income backgrounds and limited education. From the foregoing, it is obvious that unemployment, especially the unemployment of graduates, impedes the progress of Ebonyi State in many ways. Apart from economic waste, it also constitutes danger for political stability (Ipaye, 1998). It is disturbing to note that Nigeria’s graduates have limited chance of becoming gainfully employed. It is even more disheartening that the country’s economic condition is such that, it is hardly able to absorb an optimal proportion of the production of its own educational system. Gone are the days when employers went about looking for employees. It is now the turn of employees to move from one office to the other seeking for non-existent jobs. These days, thousands of young people are found waiting to be interviewed for just one, two or few vacant positions in some organizations or firms. Most people who cannot earn their living are prone to social vices. They look at themselves as second-class citizens for being unable to contribute to the society.
Ebonyi State and Ivo Local Government Area faced high rates of youth unemployment thereby leading to social vices and insecurity in the state. In Ivo Local Government Area, the only means of survival is politics, civil service, trading and farming. No day passes by without seeing youths roaming about the streets in various offices and business centres in search of job, through advertisement in various mass media such as Newspapers, Magazines, Handbills, posters, Billboards, Radio and Television announcements. Youths all over the country spend much time and huge amount of money surfing through the internet in search of job and some being tired in searching for job and labeled as idle ones have joined bad gangs and are involved in criminal activities and prostitution.
Youth unemployment is defined as young ones within the age of 18 – 35 years who are living in absolute joblessness. It also means young ones who are willing and able to work but cannot find work. Under-employment on the other hand, refers to people who are gainfully employed but not financially rewarded to authenticate their suffering and qualification (Onuh, 2011). Unemployment and underemployment has seriously confronted youths in Ebonyi State and Ivo Local Government Area. These are caused by several factors such as: rural-urban migration, corruption, socio-cultural constraints, poor educational system and high turnover of graduates from secondary and higher institutions, increase in government spending on political office holders. The state of unemployment can even lead to depression, low self-esteem, frustration and a number of other negative consequences (Ipaye, 1998).
Youth unemployment is a crucial issue in Ivo because the youth constitute a major part of the labour force and they have innovative ideas, which among other factors are important in the development process of the country. A large proportion of the youths however are unemployed. The negative consequences include psychological problems of frustration, depression, hostility and gradual drift of some visible unemployed youths into all manner of criminal behaviours (Okafor, 2011). Unemployment in Ivo generally is indeed a pathetic situation that calls for urgent attention, to address the socio-economic effects accompanied by it.
It is on this background that the study is undertaken with the view of examining the socio-economic effect of youth unemployment in Ebonyi State using Ivo Local Government as a case study and suggesting ways of improving and ameliorating youth unemployment in IvoL.G.A and Ebonyi State in general.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Youth unemployment in Ebonyi State is alarming as the rate is growing geometrically. Youth unemployment in the state is becoming unbearable as it threatens the growth of the state. It is apparent that youths in any society are the greatest assets of national development if given the opportunity of employment. Due to non-availability of ample employment opportunity in the state, the teeming youths with vibrant energy cannot contribute effectively and efficiently to the economic growth and development of the state but rather utilizes such energy in unacceptable means of satisfying their needs, wants and goals in life by engaging themselves in social vices such as armed robbery, kidnapping, violence, political thuggery, cybercrimes, fraud (419), murder, killing human beings and drug trafficking, with prostitution as the only means of survival. Our present society is not helping matters as it places much emphasis and values on materialism.
The problem of youth unemployment in Ivo and the state has also affected the local government area, individuals, families, communities, society and government, and has indeed hindered the socio-economic growth and development of Ivo and the state, thereby challenging the leadership and people of Ebonyi State as it brings about poverty, high crime rates and deviant behaviours, malnutrition, poor health condition which later results in high death rates (Brown, 2011).
The problems of youth unemployment are so devastating that Nwodo, (2011) wants the Federal and State Government to urgently address the growing issues of youth unemployment, insecurity and other social vices rampaging our country. Today, the numerous problems associated with unemployment are so enormous that Njoku (1997) asserted “Nothing can be more disturbing to an independent nation than a preponderance of unemployed youths”. Hence, Okoro, (2001) says “restive youths without employment, good housing and other decent conditions of living are bound to become miscreants in the society and deviant behavior will soon become the order of the day in their lives”. To this end Umanah, (2011), pointed out that unemployment has inflicted unprecedented social and economic havoc. It has both social, economic, political, health and psychological consequences on the individual and the society.
It is these seemingly insurmountable problems that necessitate this academic work, to ascertain the extent of the socio-economic effects of youth unemployment in Ebonyi State. The work will only focus on the state capital which is Ivo.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study is to find out the implication of unemployment on the socio-economic life and activities of Ivo L.G.A, Ebonyi State. In view of this, the specific objectives of the research work are as follows:
- To examine the effects of youth unemployment and armed robbery situation in Ivo Local Government Area.
- To examine the effects of youth unemployment on the kidnapping situation in Ivo Local Government Area.
- To find out the extent youth unemployment has affected the socio-economic well being of the individuals of Ivo Local Government Area.
1.4 Research Questions
The following constitutes the research questions for the study.
- What are the effects of youth unemployment and the level of armed robbery attacks in IvoL.G.A, Ebonyi?
- What are the effects of youth unemployment on the level of kidnapping situations in Ivo Local Government Area?
- What are the consequences of youth unemployment in Ivo Local Government of Ebonyi State?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
Following the objectives of the study as outlined in section 1.3 and the research question as outlined in 1.4, the research hypotheses are as follows:
- Ho: There is no significant relationship between youth unemployment and armed robbery situation in Ivo Local Government Area.
H1: There is significant relationship between youth unemployment and armed robbery situation in Ivo Local Government Area. - Ho: There is no significant relationship between youth unemployment and kidnapping situation in Ivo local government area.
H1: There is significant relationship between youth unemployment and kidnapping situation in Ivo Local Government Area. - Ho: There are no consequences of youth unemployment in Ivo local government area.
H1: There are consequences of youth unemployment in Ivo Local Government Area.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The Findings of this work will help young graduates to know that that white man’s job is not the only means of survival.
It will also stand a guideline to them on t he best way to live instead of engagingly in social vices and also provide them with some ways of being self-employed and even employ other.
To the government, it will discourage and also try to provide solution on how to dictate ghost workers in some parastatals and discourage the politicians from using graduates to cause social vices in the name of achieving political ambition.
1.7 Scope of Study
This work which h treats Unemployment and its implication to social and economic of Unemployment was limited to Ivo Local Government Area in Ebonyi I state in other to obtain a generation agreement on the findings and solution to the problem. The opinion of the various section of this research work is to solidity our argument.
1.8 Limitation of the Study
This research work restricts itself to Ivo Local Government in Ebonyi state only. Round other local government.
The little time for the accomplishment of this work could not allow the researcher to get the actual figure of those that are employed and those that are not employed, though the little one that was carried out shows that the state of Unemployment is high and have caused a lot of havoc.
Furthermore, the reactions of some people when asked on an oral interview and when giving a questionnaire, coupled with the high cost of living prevalent in the country as a result of the Global economic crisis and the rate of bad road which resulted to high transport fairs posited its own problems.
1.9 Definition of Terms
Socio-economic:
In the context of this study, refers to the social and economic realities of social problems in our society and the extend it affects the society. It is concerned with the study of the society.
Youth:
Official policy defines a youth as a young person aged 18-40 years who is passing through mental and physical developmental processes in preparation to face life challenges, a period between childhood, teenager and adulthood.
Unemployment:
When a great many people are unable to find work, unemployment results. It can also be defined as the inability to obtain a job when one is willing and able to work. Also, it occurs when the supply of labour outstrips the demand for labour. It also means lack of sufficient employment in the formal and informal sector.
Youth Unemployment can be defined as the conglomeration of young persons with diverse background, willing and able to work but cannot find any. It is the situation when young persons aged 18 – 35 years who are actively looking for work but fail to find any one during a long period of time.
In this study, Youth Employment according to the opinion of my respondents is defined as a situation where the working age (human resources) are not resourceful, or engaged in the labour market both in public or private sector of the economy.
Armed Robbery:
According to the Nigerian constitution and Police report, it can be defined as the use of guns or other dangerous weapons to inflict intimidation and fear into another person to gain access to someone’s house, shop, office, or social institution. It is the use of force and arms to steal from someone. But in this study, it will be defined as those unlawful or unapproved means where young men and ladies use violence, to inflict people and property and get what they want from them.
Kidnapping:
Kidnapping means the unlawful seizing or carrying away of a person by force or fraud in order to obtain ransom for his or her release. It is the taking away or transportation of person to hidden and isolated area usually false imprisonment against the person’s will either to kill or to receive money as ransom. In this study, according to my respondents, is the method of hiding people, used by poor young men to get their own share of money from the rich.
Poverty:
Means the state where someone cannot satisfy the basic needs of life such as food, shelter, clothing, money and other basic necessities of life. It is the state of being poor, inferior or insufficient in amount. Here, it means the condition where one lacks wealth, money or job as a result of no opportunity or certain factors of life.
Political Thuggery:
This can be defined as sponsored thugs used by politicians during political rallies, campaigns and election to win their opponents and acquire a position or office. It also means using violent, brutal behaviour, intimidate and all manners of weapons to attack, or kill an innocent opponent for reason of political differences. In this study, it is a tool or means of killing, abduction, violence or threat to life used by politicians to overthrow their opponents and acquire power or political office.
Chapter Five
Summary, Findings, Recommendation and Conclusion
5.1 Summary of Findings
In the study, we have attempted to identify and examine the socio-economic implications and causes of youth unemployment in Ivo, the capital of Ebonyi State. We used the descriptive statistical method such as simple random sampling technique in selecting the villages in the wards and judgmental sampling techniques in selecting the respondents and structured questionnaire with five pointslikert scale method and chi-square statistical test was used for the research findings. From the results obtained, and the data analysed from the study our results are summarized as follows:
In examining the hypotheses put forward in the study, whether there is a significant relationship between youth unemployment and the level of armed robbery situation in Ivo.
In testing the hypothesis, the respondents responses were analysed and interpreted. The calculated X2 value of 31.05 is greater than the critical X2 value of 5.991 at 0.05 significant levels. Since the calculated value X2 value is greater than the critical values, the null hypothesis was therefore, rejected and the alternative hypothesis is accepted.
This shows that, there is a significant relationship between youth unemployment and armed robbery situation in Ivo Local Government Area.
In testing whether there is a significant relationship between youth unemployment and kidnapping situation in Ivo L.G.A, the respondents responses were analysed and interpreted. The calculated X2 value of 22.48 is greater than the critical value 5.991 at 0.05 significant levels. Since the calculated X2 value is greater than the critical value, then the null hypothesis was rejected while we uphold the alternative hypothesis, therefore there is a significant relationship between youth unemployment and the level of kidnapping situation in Ivo L.G.A.
In testing whether there is a significant relationship between youth unemployment and poverty situation in Ivo L. G. A. the respondents responses were analysed and interpreted. The calculated X2 = 54.4 and df = 2. The calculated X2 value of 54.4 is greater than the critical value of 5.991 at 0.05 level of significance. Since the calculated X2 value is greater than the critical value, then the null hypothesis was rejected. Therefore the alternative hypothesis was taken which shows that there is a significant relationship between youth employment and poverty in Ivo L. G. A.
The finding in hypothesis one confirmed that the negative consequent of unemployment includes psychological problems of frustration depression, hostility and gradual drifts of some visible unemployed youths into all manner of criminal behaviours. A large proportion of youth in Ivo are unemployed, thereby they are of no other option than to involve in armed robbery and kidnapping of those they think have what they want like money, so as to complete their level of living with their well to do youth and to keep life going. It was observed also that youth unemployment in the state has also affected both the individual, family, community, society and government and has hindered the socio-economic growth and development of the state thereby challenging the leadership and people of Ebonyi State as it brings about poverty, high crime rate and defiant behaviour which results in death. Other findings showed that:
Kidnapping was carried out for ransom as a kind of social revolution by youth especially the unemployed ones who are not satisfied with their socio-economic lot and have decided to take law into their hands to fight for their own socio-economic development by all means.
Also, the adverse effects of insecurity in Ivo have made many companies and individuals who would have set up industries in the state unwilling to do so.
This obviously portends great danger for our country’s development prospect as the country is no longer conducive for foreign industrial investment.
Majority of youth have not acquired technical and vocational skill marketable for employment. There was high rural-urban drift due to lack of infrastructure in the rural areas.
Other forms of employment opportunities in the area of agriculture was not developed by the government through provision of micro-finance and agricultural modernization revitalization.
5.2 Conclusion
The study identified high level of youth unemployment in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State as lack of adequate industries to absorb the teeming unemployed youths in the Local Government Area. The socio-economic development of the state is not encouraging, consequently foreign and industrial investment in Ivo Local Government Area is faced with constraints as government policies and investment atmosphere is not conducive due to insecurity. The study revealed that since there is prevalent youth unemployment in Ivo Local Government Area, youth are into criminal tendencies like robbery, kidnapping as they are affected by high level of poverty.
Proper educational planning coupled with relevant skills acquisition and technical based courses to prevent employment mismatch is highly recommended for Government. Government should therefore rise to the challenges of development in the areas of socio-economic development especially in the provision of amenities and basic infrastructures to also enhance employment generation.
In order to create employment opportunities and reduce poverty, government should revive all ailing industries in the state. In addition, government should encourage the establishment of new industries with small and medium enterprise (SMEs) as engine of growth that will provide the much needed employment opportunity for our restive youths in Ivo Local Government Area and the State at large.
In the light of the above and in line with the vision of the president Goodluck Jonathan transformation agenda and drive, entrepreneurial development should be encouraged for self-employment and self reliance more than paid employment.
It is also strongly recommended that the educational curriculum in the Ebonyi State should be reviewed to pave way to skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development in technical and tertiary institutions.
In the light of the above , it is strongly recommended that:
- Agriculture should be promoted and revitalized through modernization of the rural areas as well as provision of basic infrastructures to check rural-urban migration.
- Creation of awareness for value re-orientation and proper attitudinal change towards the advantage of crime free life/society and the dangers of social vices among youths.
- Adequate population control should be encouraged to meet available resources.
- Government should provide enabling environment for investment in the country.
- To enhance overall and coherent strategy for dealing with poverty, crimes and social unrest of our teeming unemployed youth, stable and meaningful employment opportunities should be put in place through provision of viable economic ventures.
- Micro-finance institutions should be encouraged to provide the needed funds for development of small entrepreneurs in the state to boast employment generation and wealth creation.
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