FG launches action plan to tackle youth unemployment

The federal government has launched the Nigerian Youth Employment Action Plan (NIYEAP 2021-2024).

The plan is aimed at mobilising the energies and capacities of the youth to minimise the risks to national security posed by rising unemployment.

In March, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that Nigeria’s unemployment rate climbed to 33.3 percent in the fourth quarter (Q4) 2020 from 27.1 recorded in the second quarter (Q2) 2020.

The house of representatives had asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on unemployment.

Speaking at the launch ceremony in Abuja, Sunday Dare, minister of youth and sports development, said the NIYEAP was part of the Buhari-led administration’s efforts to facilitate an enabling environment that will create about 3.7 million jobs annually.

He emphasised that youth should be regarded as a viable investment to yield positive benefits for all spheres of our socio-economic progress, rather than a group targeted for periodic empowerment interventions.

“It is important to state that the economic and social consequences of youth unemployment transcend the youth group. It has also resulted in missed economic opportunities for the nation,” Dare said.

“This is because youth inclusion is about skilled human capital, social and economic stability, a vibrant and healthy labour force, which will also engender political stability and national growth and development.”

The minister said that the plan would emphasise the 4Es, which are: employability, entrepreneurship development, employment creation, and equality and rights, with detailed actions required in support of employment creation for youths in critical economic and social sectors.

“The priority themes of the plan, known as the 4Es are, “further delineated into strategic lines of action under each theme, with emphasis on sectors that have high job creation potentials,” Dare explained.

”Sectors such as digital economy, rural economy, green economy and renewable energy sector, manufacturing, tourism, construction and services.

”The plan will also ensure the inclusion of partners across sectors and create a robust partnership base through which my ministry will ensure wider reach of youth employment programmes across the country.

”To ensure inclusion from the grassroots, the ministry of youth and sport will also be convening zonal inception workshops on the NIYEAP.

“Stakeholders from the 36 states and the federal capital territory will be included in the implementation of the plan.”