Senate Minority Whip Ngwu Calls for Urgent Action to Tackle Nigeria’s Unemployment Crisis

Senator Osita Ngwu, the Minority Whip of the Senate, has raised urgent concerns about Nigeria’s escalating unemployment crisis, urging both the federal and state governments, as well as the private sector, to take decisive action to address the issue.

Ngwu, who represents Enugu West in the Senate, expressed his alarm in a statement released to journalists on Friday, emphasizing that immediate measures are needed to alleviate the country’s growing unemployment challenges and secure a better future for all Nigerians.

He highlighted the troubling imbalance between the number of graduates produced annually by Nigeria’s tertiary institutions and the limited number of jobs available, noting that this mismatch exacerbates the unemployment crisis.

“The number of graduates produced by our universities and polytechnics far exceeds the number of jobs created each year, which results in an increasing glut of unemployed youths,” Ngwu stated.

He commended President Bola Tinubu’s economic initiatives, which focus on job creation, food security, and poverty alleviation. However, Ngwu suggested that declaring a state of emergency on unemployment would help expedite these critical initiatives and bring much-needed solutions to the country’s job crisis.

“To accelerate job creation, stimulate economic growth, and alleviate poverty, I believe declaring a state of emergency on unemployment will be a crucial step,” Ngwu said. He further expressed his belief that such a move would help address the country’s alarming unemployment rate more effectively.

Ngwu shared plans to introduce a motion in the Senate calling for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency over Nigeria’s unemployment crisis. He assured the public that the Senate would offer full support in finding solutions to the issue.

“Unemployment in Nigeria is one of the most pressing issues facing us, and it has remained largely unaddressed since the second republic. With around 600,000 graduates entering the job market every year, and an education system that admits about 2 million students annually, the gap between job supply and demand is widening,” Ngwu explained, referring to the substantial mismatch between graduate output and the available job market.

Ngwu called on the federal and state governments, along with the private sector, to unite in creating opportunities and jobs for Nigerians. He also urged those currently employed to remain committed to their roles, as this will help stabilize the labor market and contribute to national progress.

“I will be presenting a motion in the Senate calling on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on unemployment,” he confirmed. “It is time for us to act decisively to tackle this crisis, protect our youths, and secure a better future for Nigeria. We must take responsibility for the prosperity of our nation and future generations.”

Ngwu concluded by stressing the urgent need for collaborative efforts between all levels of government and the private sector to create job opportunities for Nigerians, particularly the youth, who are increasingly vulnerable due to the high unemployment rate.