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92% of Nigerian workers are in informal employment — Report
By Francesca Hangeior
A survey by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has shown that about 92.3 percent of workers in Nigeria are in informal employment as at third quarter 2023, Q3’23.
The survey report titled: “Labour Force Statistics”, released yesterday also showed that the share of Nigerians that were underemployed within the period was 12.3 percent.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate in the country increased by 0.8 percentage points to 5.0 percent in Q3’23 from 4.2 percent recorded in Q2’23, according to the report.
The NBS report stated further: “The unemployment rate by sex among men was 4.0 percent and among women was 6.0 percent.
“Disaggregation by location, the unemployment rate was 6.0 percent in urban areas and 4.0 percent in rural areas.
“Focusing on young people, the youth unemployment rate was 8.6 percent.”
On underemployment rate, the bureau said: “In Q3’23, the share of employed Nigerians that were underemployed was 12.3 percent.
“In disaggregating underemployment by sex, the share of employed men who were underemployed was 8.7 percent while the share of employed women who were underemployed was 16 percent.” On employment rate, NBS said:
“In Q3’23, 75.6 percent of Nigeria’s working-age population was in employment. “In Q3’23, 87.3 percent of employed Nigerians were primarily selfemployed with the remaining 12.7 percent being primarily engaged as employees.
“The share of employed persons in informal employment was 92.3 percent in Q3’23 a reduction of 0.4 percent when compared to 92.7 percent in the previous quarter.
The rate of informal employment among people living in rural areas was 97.2 percent while the urban informality rate was estimated at 87.5 percent
“Disaggregating by sex, the employment-topopulation ratio was 77.7 percent for males and 73.5 percent for females.
“The employment-to population ratio in urban areas was 71.1 percent and 80.7 percent in rural areas.” The report also showed that 13.7 percent of youth are not in employment, education or training (NEET Rate) in Q3’23.
News
Finally , Lagos Court frees Quadri, young Nigerian who stood before Obi’s convoy in viral photo
The Apapa Magistrate Court, Court 9 sitting at Orege, Ajegunle – Sikiru Adagun Courthouse, has discharged and acquitted Alabi Quadri, the young Nigerian who became a national symbol of courage during the 2023 general elections, for standing boldly in front of the convoy of then-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
He was discharged and acquitted of conspiracy to commit felony and armed robbery.
The court held that he has no case to answer.
Quadri was brought to court on Thursday, April 17, 2025, after spending months in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos.
The Nigerian Correctional Service produced Quadri at the Apapa Magistrate Court, located at Orege, Ajegunle—Sikiru Adagun Courthouse (Court No. 9).
Quadri’s case was initially slated for a hearing on April 28, 2025.
However, human rights lawyer and activist Inibehe Effiong had revealed that both he and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requested that the date be moved forward, and the court granted the application.
Quadri gained widespread attention after a viral video showed him, a teenage boy at the time, fearlessly standing before Peter Obi’s campaign convoy—a moment many Nigerians interpreted as a symbol of youthful defiance and hope during a tense election period.
The media reported that Effiong revealed that Alabi’s recent painful descent into the Nigerian prison system was not due to any major crime but rather a result of prolonged malice and resentment harboured by some self-acclaimed ‘area boys’ (thugs) in his neighbourhood.
According to the lawyer, these individuals felt entitled to a portion of the unexpected attention and goodwill, including financial support, that Alabi received following his moment in the spotlight during the 2023 presidential campaign.
Effiong, who recently visited the Apapa Magisterial Court in Lagos alongside Alabi’s mother and legal colleagues, stated that Alabi’s journey to Kirikiri prison was not only heartbreaking but appeared to be the outcome of a vendetta fuelled by local ‘area boys’ who felt entitled to the financial support Alabi received after his viral moment.
Effiong revealed that Alabi was abducted in January near his home while returning from work by the ‘area boys’ who had been threatening him.
They allegedly took him to Amukoko Police Station (popularly known as Pako Police Station) and accused him of being involved in street fights.
However, Alabi was then arraigned before a Magistrate Court along with four other individuals, said to be complete strangers to him, on allegations of conspiracy to commit armed robbery with cutlasses.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged victims were robbed of N579,000, comprising cash and four mobile phones.
Effiong also emphasised that despite being a minor, Alabi had been detained with adults at Kirikiri since January, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s family residence in Kogi was reportedy invaded by gunmen around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16, leaving damaged windows but no injuries.
The incident happened at her hometown residence in Obeiba-Ihima, located in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Sources familiar with the event said the attackers arrived around 1:00 a.m. Armed with cutlasses and guns, they damaged parts of the building, smashing windows and causing panic in the area. At least three men were involved in the attack.
Senator Natasha’s Chief Security Officer, Yakubu Ovanja, quickly informed the appropriate security agencies.
In response, officers from the Okehi Police Division rushed to the scene.
Although nobody was hurt and no suspects have been arrested yet, security officials recorded the extent of the damage and launched a preliminary investigation.
The reason behind the attack is still unknown, and as of now, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not released any official statement. She represents Kogi Central in the Senate and is known as a vocal figure in Nigerian politics.
According to Zagazola Makama, police are still trying to figure out what motivated the attackers and are working to find those responsible.
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