Nigeria’s Youth Deserve More – It’s Time to Act

Nigeria stands at a critical crossroad. With a population dominated by young people, the nation has both a challenge and an opportunity. At HIG Africa, we believe it’s time to WAKE UP and face the realities of youth development with urgency, clarity, and bold action. 

The Youth Population – A Sleeping Giant 

With 44% of Nigerians under the age of 15, Nigeria is one of the youngest nations globally. This massive youth population holds incredible potential—but only if adequately educated, trained, and given meaningful opportunities. 

The Drop-Out Crisis – A Leak in the Pipeline 

Despite efforts, school dropout rates remain alarmingly high: 

• 27% of primary school-aged children are out of school. 

• 31% of lower secondary school-aged adolescents are not in school. 

• This climbs to 40% for upper secondary age. 

Tertiary education enrollment stands at a dismal 10%. These numbers reflect a broken system where many young Nigerians are disconnected from the formal education system before they have a real chance to thrive. 

Youth Unemployment: An Urgent Emergency 

While overall unemployment seems to be improving (from 5.3% in Q1 2024 to 4.3% in Q2), youth unemployment remains deeply concerning: 

• Ages 15-24: 6.5% in Q2 2024, though better than the 53.4% peak in 2020. 

• Projected to trend around 7% in 2025. 

Despite having technical or vocational skills, many youths struggle to find relevant employment, reflecting a disconnect between training and industry demands. 

Challenges We Must Address 

The recurring problems facing youth include: 

• Limited access to quality education 

• Insufficient vocational and digital training 

• Economic instability and underinvestment in youth-centric sectors 

What Has Been Done So Far? 

Nigeria has made some commendable interventions: 

• National Social Investment Program (NSIP) & YESSO provide training and jobs. 

• BESDA, supported by the World Bank, brought 1 million+ out-of-school children back. 

• UBEC Open School Programme offers flexible learning in six states. 

• The Safe Schools Initiative addresses education in conflict zones. 

However, these initiatives must be scaled up, modernized, and better coordinated for national impact. 

WAKE UP: A Call to Stakeholders 

It’s time for government bodies, the private sector, development partners, and civil society to act with intentional urgency. Nigeria cannot afford to sleep on its youth any longer. Here’s what we must prioritize: 

1. Massive Investment in Education & Digital Skills 
   Shift funding from theory to practical, industry-aligned skills training. 

2. Stronger Public-Private Partnerships 
   Let’s build employment pipelines by connecting education to real industry needs. 

3. Monitoring & Accountability Systems 
   Track, measure, and improve the impact of youth development programs. 

4. Inclusive Programs That Leave No One Behind 
   Prioritize girls, out-of-school children, and youth in underserved and conflict-affected regions. 

5. Entrepreneurship as a Tool for Growth 
   Equip youth not just to seek jobs—but to create them. 

A Final Word from HIG Africa 

The time is now. Our youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are the builders of today. If we are serious about Nigeria’s development, we must wake up to the realities and invest in our greatest resource: our people. 

Let’s stop the slow walk and start running.