Youth Employment Action Plan
Federal Government of Nigeria Youth Employment Action Plan for Job Creation
In September 2021, the Federal Government of Nigeria launched the Youth Employment Action Plan for Job Creation. The aim is to mobilize the full energies and capacities of the youth in the country towards minimizing the risks to national security posed by rising youth unemployment and underemployment, in line with global realities.
The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development launched the Nigerian Youth Employment Action Plan (NIYEAP).
According to him, the launching of the Nigerian Youth Employment Action Plan is an expression of the commitment of the federal government to continue to facilitate an enabling environment that will create about 3.7 million jobs annually so as to achieve national development goals, particularly sustainable economic growth in the country.
The Minister stated that youth unemployment has really assumed an uncomfortable proportion and that its effect has not only led to frustration on the part of the youth but also is the underlying cause of poverty and youth restiveness in the country.
“It is important to state that the economic and social consequences of youth unemployment transcend the youth group. It has also resulted in missed economic opportunities for the nation. This is because youth inclusion is about skilled human capital, social and economic stability, a vibrant and healthy labour force, which will also engender political stability and national growth and development”, the Minister said.
Stating further that this Plan emphasizes the 4Es: Employability, Entrepreneurship Development, Employment Creation, and Equality and rights, adding that it also details needed actions in support of employment creation for youth in critical economic and social sectors and outlines the financing, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation frameworks.
He, therefore, urged all stakeholders from the public, private sectors, and development partners to take a risk and invest in youth for the purpose of economic growth and development, stressing, “I assure you that it will be worth it, with benefits for the development of our nation and the global community”.