Olusegun Adeyemo
Public affairs analysts from Oyo, Lagos and Osun states have raised alarm over Nigeria’s surging unemployment rate, urging swift policy reforms and targeted economic strategies to curb the trend.
In separate telephone interviews with The Journal Nigeria, the analysts described the situation as a ticking time bomb that demands immediate attention from both federal and state governments.
Speaking from Ibadan, Oyo State, Mr. John Njoku described the unemployment rate as “alarming” and warned that unless governments return to the drawing board, the problem could escalate.
“The federal and state governments must urgently devise practical solutions and act decisively,” he stated.
In Lagos, a public affairs analyst, Dr. Femi Afolayan, blamed the situation on a misalignment between education and labor market needs.
“We are producing graduates who cannot find jobs because the system doesn’t match skills with demand. Reform in education policy is non-negotiable,” he stated.
From Osogbo, Osun State, social policy analyst Ms. Morenike Ajayi criticised the unsustainability of current job creation programs.
“Most empowerment schemes are ad hoc and politically driven,” she said. “What we need are long-term strategies, support for SMEs, digital literacy, and rural enterprise promotion.”
These reactions stem from the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which show a rate of 4.3% in Q2 2024, a decrease from 5.3% in Q1 2024. This indicates a slight improvement in the labor market conditions. However, the unemployment rate is still significantly higher than the 3.07% recorded in 2023, according to Statistics.