In commemoration of International Youth Day, a troubling statistics about the state of the Nigerian youth has been unveiled
A new report by a Non-Governmental Organization, Plan International Nigeria, has revealed that 80 million young Nigerians representing 53 percent of the population are unemployed and over 1,500 schools have been shut down in the past two years.
While raising an alarm over the worsening conditions confronting Nigerian youths, the group warned that unemployment, insecurity, and a deepening trust deficit in governance are pushing the country’s young population into cycles of vulnerability and exclusion.
Jonathan Abakpa, Esq., Advocacy and Youth Programme Officer at Plan International Nigeria, stated this while presenting the State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025, at the Nigerian youth dialogue in commemoration of the International Youth Day organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Youth in Parliament on Thursday.
The report was produced by Plan International Nigeria in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, with contributions from policy and advocacy experts
Abakpa in his presentation painted a troubling picture of wasted opportunities in a country where over 60 percent of the population is below the age of 30.
“With more than 200 million people and one of the largest youth populations in the world, Nigeria should be a powerhouse of innovation and growth,” Abakpa said.
“But the reality is stark: unemployment, insecurity, poverty, and poor infrastructure continue to weigh heavily on young people. Unless urgent action is taken, the country risks losing its greatest asset.” Abakpa added
The report disclosed that each year, about 1.7 million graduates leave tertiary institutions, but jobs remain elusive.
“This is not just a statistic it represents shattered dreams and wasted talent. The desperation is pushing many into irregular migration, cybercrime, and other risky coping mechanisms.” Abakpa noted
According to the report, more than 600,000 people have been killed and 2.2 million kidnapped in recent years. Many victims are young people.
Abakpa underscored that the tragedy of insecurity is not only the loss of lives but also the collapse of opportunities.
He said: “Over 1,500 schools have been shut down in the past two years, leaving one million children out of school. Education, which should be a ladder of opportunity, has been violently pulled away from them.”
The report also highlighted how violence has crippled farming communities. It stated that Over 77,000 lives have been lost to tribal conflicts in the last five years, while 2.6 million people mainly from farming areas have been displaced.
It said that with farmers unable to access their lands, UNICEF has warned that 25 million Nigerians risk hunger.
According to the report, 82.9 million people represent 40.1 percent of Nigerians live in poverty. For young people, this deepens the struggle for survival.
“Poverty is not just about empty pockets, it is about restricted choices and wasted futures,” Abakpa said.
The report also features how young Nigerians perceive government responsiveness. Abakpa described this as “deep trust deficit between Nigerian youth and the state. Many young people no longer believe government policies are designed for their good. That disconnect must be urgently addressed if we are to avoid alienation of an entire generation,” he warned.
Despite the grim realities, the report stressed that Nigerian youth are not only victims but also innovators and change-makers.
The report urged government, the private sector, and development partners to urgently expand job creation initiatives while ensuring that vocational training and entrepreneurship schemes are effectively linked to industries.
Chairman of the House Committee on Youth in Parliament, Rep. Ayodeji Alao-Akala, reaffirmed his commitment to advancing youth-focused policies, describing Nigerian youths as the future of the nation.
The lawmaker said the National Assembly had devoted significant time to passing bills and motions aimed at creating a more enabling environment for young people to thrive.
“As a country, we cannot afford to ignore the aspirations of our youths. They are the future of Nigeria, and our responsibility as lawmakers is to ensure their potential is harnessed for national development,” he said.
