Report Reveals Limited Access To Government Safety Nets For Unemployed Nigerian Youths
Report Reveals Limited Access To Government Safety Nets For Unemployed Nigerian Youths
According to a report by Jobberman, less than one percent of Nigeria’s unemployed youth population has been able to benefit from the government’s social safety net programs. The 2022 report from the online platform suggests that factors such as limited coverage and weak targeting of social interventions have contributed to this low access rate.
During an unemployment roundtable discussion organized in collaboration with the MasterCard Foundation, Jobberman’s CEO, Oreoluwa Boboye, emphasized the need for Nigerian youths to shift their priorities away from pursuing only white-collar jobs and consider developing side hustles as their main source of income.
Boboye stated, “Many successful entrepreneurs started with a side hustle, and over time, they focused and developed it into their main source of income. This approach is essential, given Nigeria’s growing population and the ongoing mismatch between job demand and supply.”
He also called for a change in societal perceptions, urging the recognition and celebration of success stories within the informal job sector to motivate those engaged in such activities.
Hilda Kragha, CEO of The Africa Talent Company, the parent company of Jobberman, echoed the importance of developing and repackaging side hustles as a viable means of livelihood. She emphasized the need for society to value and acknowledge the contributions of individuals working in the informal job sector.
Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director of Sterling Bank Limited, shared a perspective that encouraged youth to rely less on the government for job opportunities and to think creatively. He stated that the government’s role is to enable job creation rather than directly provide jobs.
Suleiman also highlighted potential economic sectors where youth could explore job creation, including agriculture, food processing, construction, and real estate. He emphasized the necessity of aligning the educational system with these opportunities to foster job growth.
