Youth Unemployment and National Security in Nigeria: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

The successful handing over of power from the military oligarchy to a neophyte political class and the consequent returned of the nation to civil rule on May 29, 1999 has shifted attention to how to nurture the fledging democracy to maturity such that it can no longer be truncated either by internal or external forces. The stability of the nation has become the concern of all both the government and the governed. Pro democracy groups, human rights groups, civil societies and others have been greatly involved in the democratic consolidation in Nigeria. In spite of the above not much seems to have been achieved in the area of national security. The issue of national security has become a subject of debate and a serious concern to all and sundry. This is due to the various security challenges facing the country. This paper, therefore looked at unemployment as one of the major challenges to national security. The use of content analysis of secondary sources from published books, journals, official documents, newspapers and magazines was employed in this work. Maslow Human Hierarchy of Needs theory was also used to illuminate the study. It was gathered that, of numerous factors responsible for the uncontrollable rate of insecurity in the nation, unemployment is noted to be at forefront since many youths who are capable and willing to work are affected by this menace. The paper finally recommended that for the problem of insecurity to be abated, the economy of the nation should be diversified as the total dependence on crude oil receipt has done havoc to the productive sectors of Nigerian economy. The government should set up a contingency fund for agricultural and industrial development, as urgent preliminary initiative. Furthermore, the paper recommended the need for collaborative arrangement between the public and private sectors and that the educational sector should be developed through adequate funding to a stage where job seekers and graduates can stand on their own without looking for white collar jobs that are not available. Keywords: Security, Unemployment, Social Vices, Insecurity, Nigeria, Economy, Democracy Journal Reference Format: Ibitoye, M.O., Owolabi, D. & Akinlade, M.T. (2023): Youth Unemployment and National Security in Nigeria: An Exploratory Study. Humanities, Management, Arts, Education & the Social Sciences Journal. Vol. 11. No. 2, Pp 45-58. www.isteams.net/humanitiesjournal. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/HUMANITIES/V11N2P5