Even though all countries have a problem of unemployment, the degree of this phenomenon differs in levels across many countries of the world. Nigeria because of being in its developing state has more unemployment level in the country. Many successful graduates find it hard to secure jobs after completing school why some who are in some way lucky are underemployed.
Before pressing further, Unemployment can be defined as the state of not finding any job to do. This of course relates to able bodied and people who are willing to work. Unemployment is a cankerworm that has eaten deep into our economic system thereby making it a perforated one. Many that went to school for the purpose of getting good jobs to take care of themselves are disappointed. You see thousands of people clamouring for jobs that won't serve more than one hundred people. This is to show how serious the situation of unemployment is in here. Causes of unemployment includes but not limited to the following;
1. Poor number of Industries and Companies.
This constitute in many ways to the degree of unemployment in the country. Poor shortage of companies and industries where people could be employed also contribute to this problem. In a situation whereby the existing and functional industries in the country cannot accept even half of the graduates who are willing to work for employment, is that not a problem?
Some companies have been liquidated thereby sending their workers back to the labor market to start all over again from square one.
2. Another cause of unemployment is persistent elan for white collars jobs at the expense of vocational and technical jobs which also serves as a good alternative. All what some people want is white collar jobs, so they wait for it for many years hoping they will find one soon. Graduates from the University always have a wrong notion of vocational jobs as jobs reserved for those who didn't go to universities. They always assume going for technical jobs will ridicule them. Unfortunately not all of us can work at the office, there needs to be a striking balance between people being an employee working in an office and being self employed and working under no one. Unfortunately everyone wants to be working under somebody else thereby creating a sort of disequilibrium.
3. Not having any monetary skills.
A person will only be employed if he is valuable and have the necessary skills needed. An illiterate with no vocational skills or life skills whatsoever will find it very difficult to be employed. People are been employed because the employers see the required value and skills needed for the job in the employees.
Effects of unemployment.
,1. Bad social vices such as arm robbery, kidnapping etc.
Of course an idle hand is the devil's workshop. An unemployed person who have seeked for jobs in the legal way will eventually resort to engaging in bad vices to earn him some money. Such people will start robbing people of their money and other valuables, kidnapping people and asking for ransom before the victims can be released and so on. Many if these unemployed graduates engage in cyber crimes since no legal jobs are coming their way. Many antisocial vices we have in the society today can be reduced drastically if employment were to be introduced as a way of curbing such menace.
2. Poor Economy Growth
A country with high unemployment margin will always try to keep their economy growing, it's always poor. Unemployment will always contribute to the poverty rate among the citizens and all these serves as a stumbling blocks to a good economy. When people have jobs to do, they will be able to buy goods and services and the economy will move forward and there will be a good standard of living.
3. Unemployment will also cause unrest in the society. Most of the thugs always employed by some political leaders to cause mayhem and disturbance in the society are the unemployed youths in the country. These are the type of people that are employed to cause political unrest in the society. If they are all employed and already working, would they be employed as thugs and touts again? It's only an unemployed youth you see in the street disturbing public peace here and there.
What are some of the solutions to unemployment in Nigeria?
1. There can be more employment if the government creates more jobs in the country. When there is increase in the number of companies and industries, jobs will also increase more for people to do. Government and some private individuals will do well if more companies and industries are created to provide more jobs for the people. Through this, unemployment will be reduced.
2. Introduction of Empowerment Schemes and programmes.
Government can organize vocational training to empower people who have interest in vocational jobs. This will in turn reduce unemployment rate. Government should try to provide incentives to self employed people like those working in the agricultural sector. They can be given money to establish their agricultural or any vocational business they are in to. Some of these people have the needed skills to start making money but capital is their problem, government can work in this capacity to provide financial help to such people. Programmes about skill acquisitions should also be organized to empower more people to be valuable so that they can have something to do that will bring them money.
3. Sometimes reduction in the population rate can also serves as a good measure of curbing unemployment in the society. Government should try to adopt policies that will help at reducing the high population rate. Sometimes people are just too much in the country for the present jobs available. All these could be employed to reduce unemployment in the society.
This is just concise and briefed, written solely on personal thoughts. The causes, effects and solutions to unemployment go a long way than what is explained here. Thanks
Valid points