.png)
1 hour ago
1
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Tuesday, described Nigeria’s staggering 80% youth unemployment rate as a damning verdict on the country’s leadership and economic policies.
Citing a recent ActionAid/Plan International report, Obi noted that the figure translates to over 80 million unemployed young Nigerians, a number he called “a staggering reality” given the nation’s large population.
Posting on his verified X account, the former Anambra State governor accused the Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government of failing to invest in the country’s youth.
“The recent ActionAid/Plan International report, which highlights the devastating fact that over 80 million young Nigerians are unemployed, is an indictment on our leadership and economic direction,” Obi wrote.
He contrasted Nigeria’s situation with South Africa, where youth unemployment stands at about 60%, amounting to six million people—still more than 70 million fewer than Nigeria.
“When millions of youths are unemployed, it is not a youth problem, it is a leadership failure. This is the direct result of political greed that has failed to serve the people,” he said.
Obi stressed that with 75% of Nigerians under the age of 35, joblessness at this scale should be treated as a national emergency. He lamented that instead of investing in young people and supporting small businesses to drive growth, leaders have chosen “wasteful spending, corruption, unproductive borrowing, and policies that shrink opportunities and expand poverty.”
“Nigeria does not lack entrepreneurial and resourceful youths, what we lack are leaders who are intentional about creating opportunities,” he added.
Calling for a shift in governance, Obi emphasized the need for leaders who prioritize production, transparency, and people-centred policies.
“We need leadership that will see the youth as the engine of productivity and growth of a nation. This is the time, more than ever, for the Nigerian youths to get involved and ensure they elect leaders who have their best interest and the best interest of our nation.”
He concluded with a hopeful message:
“Nigeria deserves competent, credible, compassionate, and capable leadership, one that will create opportunities and empower our young Nigerians. A New Nigeria is possible.”
The post Peter Obi blames failed govt policies for 80m unemployed young Nigerians appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.
