The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate, reportedly at 80%, labeling it a damning indictment of the nation’s leadership and economic policies.
This alarming statistic represents over 80 million unemployed youths, highlighting a critical issue for a country with a large population. In a statement on his verified X account, Obi criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their failure to invest in Nigeria’s youth.
“The recent ActionAid/Plan International report revealing that over 80 million young Nigerians are unemployed is a direct indictment on our leadership and economic direction,” Obi stated. He contrasted Nigeria’s situation with South Africa, which has a youth unemployment rate around 60%, accounting for approximately six million jobless youths—70 million fewer than Nigeria.
Obi argued that the high unemployment rate reflects a leadership failure rather than being merely a youth issue. He attributed the crisis to political greed that neglects the needs of the populace, noting that 75% of Nigerians are under 35 years old, making the scale of youth joblessness a national emergency.
“It is deeply troubling that, instead of investing in our youths and fostering the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), we prioritize wasteful spending, corruption, and unproductive borrowing,” he commented. According to him, Nigeria has a wealth of entrepreneurial and resourceful youths, but lacks leaders committed to creating job opportunities.
Obi called for leadership focused on job creation through targeted investments in production and governance that is transparent and centered on the people to alleviate poverty.
“This is the time for Nigerian youths to get involved and ensure they elect leaders who have their interests and the nation’s future at heart. A New Nigeria is indeed possible,” he concluded, advocating for competent and compassionate leadership that empowers young Nigerians.
