Rising youth unemployment and poverty in Nigeria

the challenges for national security

Abstract

The interest of this paper is to examine the challenge of rising youth unemployment and poverty on national security in Nigeria. The paper assumes relevance in a situation of rising youth unemployment and poverty accompanied by high wave of insecurity in the country. The piece concern itself with furthering the discussion on this complex problem by highlighting the vicious circle between youth unemployment and poverty and the effect of such on the fight against insecurity in Nigeria. A descriptive approach was adopted with vivid analysis in line with the objective. It was reiterated that as paramount as security is for harmonious co-existence, economic prosperity, and national unity needed for global competitiveness, Nigeria’s security is seriously challenged by key factors of rising youth unemployment and poverty. Reviving/Building of industries to reduce unemployment, training youths to be entrepreneurs/employable, and making agriculture attractive are among the suggested solutions.