By Gloria Ikibah
A recent report has highlighted growing concern about the increasingly harsh realities faced by young people in Nigeria, warning that rising unemployment, widespread insecurity, and a worsening lack of confidence in government are trapping many in cycles of hardship and marginalisation.
The State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025, unveiled in Abuja on Thursday by Jonathan Abakpa, Advocacy and Youth Programme Officer at Plan International Nigeria, portrays a bleak outlook for a country where more than 60 per cent of the population is under 30. The findings suggest that countless opportunities are being squandered, leaving large numbers of young Nigerians unable to reach their potential. 
The report was formally launched during the Nigerian Youth Dialogue, held to mark International Youth Day and organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Youth in Parliament.
“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.
“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 said.
The report revealed that nearly 80 million young Nigerians are unemployed, representing 53 percent of the youth population. Adding that annually, about 1.7 million graduates leave tertiary institutions, but jobs remain difficult to find.
“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”, he added.
The National Bureau of Statistics recorded a 5.3 per cent increase in youth unemployment during the first quarter of 2025. While there was a modest improvement in the second quarter, the overall picture remains deeply concerning.
The challenges extend well beyond a lack of jobs. Insecurity was singled out as a major force shaping the daily lives of young Nigerians. The report further noted that in recent years more than 600,000 people have lost their lives and a further 2.2 million have been abducted, with young people making up a significant share of those affected.
“The tragedy of insecurity is not only the loss of lives but also the collapse of opportunities. 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”, Abakpa said.
The report highlighted the devastating impact of violence on farming communities, with over 77,000 lives lost to communal clashes in the past five years and 2.6 million people displaced. With many farmers unable to access their land, UNICEF has warned that 25 million Nigerians could face hunger.
It also noted that 40.1 per cent of Nigerians around 82.9 million people live in poverty. For young people, this compounds the struggle to survive.
“Poverty is not just about empty pockets; it is about restricted choices and wasted futures,” Abakpa stated.
Corruption was identified as a major drain on resources and a key driver of public distrust. Basic infrastructure gaps. poor roads, unreliable electricity, and limited digital access, were also cited as obstacles preventing young people from turning ambition into enterprise.
Regional differences were highlighted in the We Listen Survey. Unemployment, inflation, and insecurity dominate in the North Central; kidnapping and banditry in the North West and North East; underemployment and high living costs in the South West and South East; and poverty and lack of education in the South South.
“Challenges are national but play out differently depending on the region,” he added.
The report found a deep trust deficit between youth and government, with most respondents rating state responsiveness as “poor” or “very poor.”
Abakpa therefroe warned: “Many young people no longer believe government policies serve their interests. That disconnect must be addressed to prevent further alienation”.
Despite the grim outlook, the report stressed that Nigerian youth are innovators and change-makers, already driving growth in technology, business, and the creative economy. It urged government, the private sector, and development partners to expand job creation, link training to industry, improve access to credit, and invest in infrastructure.
On insecurity, Abakpa argued for community-based peacebuilding, early warning systems, and rehabilitation, rather than reliance on military solutions. Social protection for marginalised groups, anti-corruption reforms, and transparent governance were also recommended.
One of the boldest proposals is to enshrine Universal Basic Education as a constitutional right, ensuring no child is denied learning due to poverty, geography, or insecurity. “Education must be non-negotiable,” he declared.
The report therefore called for a new social contract between the Nigerian state and its youth.
“Young people are not leaders of tomorrow, they are partners of today. Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The time for rhetoric is over; what is needed now is responsive leadership and accountable governance.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Youth in Parliament, Rep. Ayodeji Alao-Akala, restated his commitment to advancing youth-focused policies, describing Nigerian youths as the future of the nation.
According to the Chairman, 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.
He described himself as one of the youthful members of parliament, saying that he remains passionate about ensuring that legislation coming out of the House of Representatives directly impacts young people.
He emphasised that policymakers and relevant agencies must ensure the next generation of Nigerians do not experience the same challenges their parents faced.
“Our task as leaders is to make sure the children of tomorrow inherit a country better than what we met, with more opportunities and less hardship,” Alao-Akala said.
The lawmaker assured that his committee would continue to work closely with stakeholders to strengthen youth development programmes and policies that prepare young Nigerians for leadership, innovation, and economic productivity.
The State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025 was produced by Plan International Nigeria in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, with contributions from policy and advocacy experts.
