Of all the problems facing my country Nigeria, unemployment is the most serious one that needs urgent attention. A popular saying goes 'the devil utilizes the idle mind.' This statement is constant and true at all times and in all places. The consequences of unemployment are manifestly visible everywhere in the society.
Such acts like robbery be it with or without violence, prostitution, humans trafficking, drug trafficking and other social vices are traceable to unemployment. This is so because when a man is unemployed there is nothing he cannot do to keep body and soul together.
What are the factors responsible for this monster?
First and foremost there has been the proliferation of tertiary educational institutions in the last two decades. Apart from those established by the Federal Government, each state government has founded its own tertiary institution. In addition, each religious body has founded or is about to found a university of its own. Highly placed individual now have private universities. These tertiary educational institutions turn out graduates in large numbers year-in-year-out. Unfortunately no provision is made to employ these graduates.
Apart from this, many of the existing industries and factories are folding up as a result of the harsh economic climate. This words such as retrenchment, rationalization, trimming of work force, etc, have entered into the industrial language of the country. This, in plain language, means thousands and thousands of workers have been sacked and more are still going into the employment market.
Unfortunately, the epileptic nature of electricity is not helping matters m. Thousands of people who depend on electricity for their means of livelihood do not have access to it. Power supply has been very erratic. Many technicians and artisans have therefore been sent to the unemployment market. Thus, there are armies and armies of unemployment.
How do we get rid of this monster terrorizing us?
There must be a strong determination of the part of all and sundry to deal with the monster.
Nigeria has very fertile land for all types of agriculture.
The government should give the necessary to the youths to take an interest in agriculture which can provide millions of jobs for the teeming population of the unemployed.
Also, the government must make spirited effort to established new industries and factories which can gainfully employ the unemployed people.
Power generation must be considerably improved. The constant provision of electricity will provide energy for the millions of artisans and technicians and they will be gainfully employed.
If these measures are taken, the problem of unemployment will be drastically reduced, if not totally eradicated.