Youth Unemployment and National Security in Nigeria: The Case of National Youth Programmes

International Journal of Research (IJR) e-ISSN: 2348-6848 p-ISSN: 2348-795X Vol. 12 Issue 11 November 2025 Received: 2 November 2025 473 Revised: 17 November 2025 Accepted: 27 November 2025 Copyright  authors 2025 DOI: HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.5281/ZENODO.17737417 Youth Unemployment and National Security in Nigeria: The Case of National Youth Programmes Ihekoromadu Chisomaga Happiness Rhema University Nigeria, Aba [email protected] Ihekoromadu Petronilla Chioma Abia State College of Education Technical, Arochukwu [email protected]om Ifeanyi Jonah Onuoha University of Nigeria, Nsukka Ifea[email protected] Okpunuzor Victoria Ndudi Federal College of Education Technical, Asaba [email protected] Abstract One of the biggest societal issues facing the world now is insecurity. Nigeria's youth unemployment rate is currently rising as a result of the country's growing web of instability. Many young people who have graduated from the country's universities are unemployed, dislike their degree of education, and are unwilling to contribute to the nation's economic growth. In addition to posing a serious risk to human life, youth unemployment stands in the way of economic growth and the fight against poverty. This essay made the case that Nigeria's high rate of youth unemployment is closely linked to the country's high rate of insecurity, and that in order to achieve sustainable development, the government must take the country's insecurity issues seriously in order to reduce youth unemployment. Documentary sources were used to gather data, and content analysis was used for analysis. The study was based on the fundamental ideas of John Dollard's frustrated aggression theory (1939). In order to combat insecurity and promote overall development, the report recommended that the government establish job opportunities with the goal of lowering unemployment and poverty. Keywords: Security challenges. Unemployment, Crisis, National security, Nigeria 1 Introduction Youth unemployment has grown to be a major worldwide concern, especially in emerging nations where the issue is being made worse by extraordinarily rapid population growth and a lack of International Journal of Research (IJR) e-ISSN: 2348-6848 p-ISSN: 2348-795X Vol. 12 Issue 11 November 2025 Received: 2 November 2025 474 Revised: 17 November 2025 Accepted: 27 November 2025 Copyright  authors 2025 DOI: HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.5281/ZENODO.17737417 economic prospects. Africa, where nations like Nigeria have some of the highest rates of youth unemployment, has the biggest youth unemployment crisis. In addition to negatively affecting human wellbeing, the issue poses serious threats to both national security and socioeconomic advancement. Nigeria, which is fortunate to have a large and expanding youth population, must deal with both escalating security issues and unemployment (Onyekwena & Ekeruche, 2019). It has been demonstrated that youth unemployment increases instability, violence, and social unrest. Youths who are frustrated with their financial situation often turn to criminal activity and insurgency as a method of survival. Acute unemployment and poverty in Nigeria have been associated with the presence of violent groups like Boko Haram in the northeast and militancy in the Niger Delta (Aghedo, 2012). Due to their recruitment of unemployed and disillusioned youth, these groups not only pose direct security risks but also undermine socioeconomic stability by interfering with trade, investment, and education (Adesoji, 2010). The incompatibility of educational attainment with the demands of the labor market exacerbates the implications of youth unemployment for national security. The majority of young Nigerians, even those with formal education, lack the skill sets that businesses require, which exacerbates the country's unemployment rate (Igbinedion & Aisien, 2011). The Human Capital Theory contends that investing in education and skill is crucial to achieving economic stability and growth (Becker, 1964). However, Nigeria's labor market is still characterized by unemployment despite efforts to raise educational attainment. This has brought about a difficult era where economic instability and insecurity reinforce each other in a vicious cycle of underdevelopment. Given the crucial connection between youth unemployment and national security, it is imperative to investigate the causes and effects of this phenomenon. Additionally, it is more important than ever to assess the efficacy of government policies meant to lower unemployment and improve security. 1. Although a number of programs, such the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the National Social Investment Program (NSIP), have been put into place, little is known about how they affect unemployment and national security (NBS, 2023). This essay's objective is to investigate the connection between young unemployment and national security in Nigeria and evaluate the wider ramifications for socioeconomic development and stability. In particular, the research will: Examine the degree to which Nigeria's national security risks, such as insurgencies, criminal activity, and societal unrest, are influenced by youth unemployment. 2. Assess the success of current government initiatives including the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the National Social Investment Program (NSIP), which are designed to lower youth unemployment and improve national security. 3. Make policy suggestions to reduce youth unemployment and advance national security in order to support Nigeria's long-term socioeconomic development. International Journal of Research (IJR) e-ISSN: 2348-6848 p-ISSN: 2348-795X Vol. 12 Issue 11 November 2025 Received: 2 November 2025 475 Revised: 17 November 2025 Accepted: 27 November 2025 Copyright  authors 2025 DOI: HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.5281/ZENODO.17737417 2 Conceptual Clarifications Youth Unemployment Numerous academics have examined the economic and social ramifications of the looming catastrophe in the field of youth unemployment and its implications for Nigeria's national security. However, there are gaps in a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between young unemployment, national security, and socioeconomic development, especially when it comes to policy interventions. Numerous studies have confirmed the link between Nigeria's young unemployment rate and national security threats. According to Aghedo and Eke (2013), Nigeria's high youth unemployment rate has raised security issues in the nation, most notably the emergence of insurgent groups like Boko Haram in the northeast. Such groups have a tendency to recruit angry and unemployed youths, using their economic susceptibility to drive radicalism and violence. This is consistent with Okwuosa's (2015) assertion that a high unemployment rate fosters radicalism, particularly among underprivileged and marginalized groups. Additionally, Ezirim et al. (2017) examined the vicious loop between unemployment and insecurity, pointing out that economic prospects are exacerbated by insurgency-driven infrastructure damage, resulting in a cycle of poverty and violence. This is true in places where long-term underdevelopment and instability are caused by organizations like Boko Haram and militants from the Niger Delta (Oluwaseun & Lekan, 2018). These results clearly show that adolescent unemployment contributes to insecurity, but they fall short of offering broad remedies, especially when it comes to long-term policy interventions that address both economic marginalization and security threats. Government Policy and Youth Unemployment Numerous studies have examined the Nigerian government's efforts to reduce young unemployment through policies and initiatives. For instance, Onyekwena and Ekeruche (2019) examined how the National Social Investment Program (NSIP) helps young people without jobs find work. Although they concede that the program has some beneficial outcomes, they contend that because it is poorly funded, poorly targeted, and corrupt, its coverage and reach are still restricted. Duru (2021) placed equal blame on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), arguing that because it only provides temporary employment without addressing structural labor market problems, it has not been able to considerably lower youth unemployment. In a survey of several Nigerian employment initiatives, Ogundele (2020) found that while some initiatives achieved short-term success, they were unsustainable due to inadequate monitoring and assessment systems. He emphasized the necessity for a more comprehensive strategy that links industrialization tactics and educational changes to the youth employment program. However, this assessment does not go into detail about how these employment program failures contribute to security problems, especially in unstable areas, and how security-focused interventions and job development can coexist. International Journal of Research (IJR) e-ISSN: 2348-6848 p-ISSN: 2348-795X Vol. 12 Issue 11 November 2025 Received: 2 November 2025 476 Revised: 17 November 2025 Accepted: 27 November 2025 Copyright  authors 2025 DOI: HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.5281/ZENODO.17737417 Socio-Economic Impact of Youth Unemployment Beyond issues of national security, Nigerian young unemployment has extensive socioeconomic ramifications. Ajakaiye et al. (2016) observed that continuous unemployment among young people leads to increasing poverty, social disillusionment, and restricted social mobility, therefore engendering a sense of marginalization and disenfranchised. As demonstrated by the #EndSARS protests, which started as a movement against police aggression but were a reflection of deeper anxieties about unemployment and economic stagnation, these contribute to both insecurity and larger societal unrest (Odufuwa, 2021). According to Nwagwu's (2022) critical study of the economic cost of unemployment, Nigeria's pursuit of sustainable development is severely hampered by lost potential earnings, productivity, and human capital development. While these studies assess the economic effects of unemployment, they run the risk of underestimating its psychological effects, especially the way the frustration-aggression mechanism encourages young people to engage in criminal activity and insurgency a topic that merits further investigation. There are still certain gaps in the extensive body of research that has examined the relationship between young unemployment and national security in Nigeria. The first of these is that, whereas the majority of studies have attempted to examine the overall relationship between unemployment and insecurity, very few have examined the geographical differences in the ways that adolescent unemployment influences security outcomes. For example, while Boko Haram's insurgency has been well studied, less is known about how youth unemployment impacts security conditions in other regions of the nation, such as the Southeast, where separatist uprisings have recently gained momentum (Akinola, 2021). A better comprehension of regional variation could lead to more focused and effective policy responses. Second, there hasn't been much empirical research on how security-driven interventions might be combined with job creation, despite the fact that many government initiatives and policies targeted at lowering unemployment have been condemned for being unproductive. In an attempt to lessen highrisk youth groups' susceptibility to violent group recruitment, few research provide practical suggestions on how employment programs might be used to directly fight these organizations. Furthermore, additional study is required to determine how education and skill-building initiatives might be connected to counterterrorism and de-radicalization initiatives, especially in Nigeria's northern areas. Finally, there isn't a thorough analysis of how the digital economy and technology sectors contribute to reducing youth unemployment in the literature. The emergence of Nigeria's technology sector, especially in cities like Lagos, presents an unexplored opportunity to reduce youth unemployment. However, research on unemployment in sectors like oil and agriculture has been scarce. Therefore, there is a lack of research on how the country may use its developing tech sector to support long-term employment for its youth. International Journal of Research (IJR) e-ISSN: 2348-6848 p-ISSN: 2348-795X Vol. 12 Issue 11 November 2025 Received: 2 November 2025 477 Revised: 17 November 2025 Accepted: 27 November 2025 Copyright  authors 2025 DOI: HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.5281/ZENODO.17737417 3 Methodology Theoretical Perspective Frustration-Aggression Theory is a suitable theoretical framework for this study in order to comprehend the connection between Nigerian national security and youth unemployment. The thesis, which was first put forth by Dollard et al. in 1939, asserts that frustration brought on by unmet wants or unattainable objectives can trigger aggression, which can take many different forms, such as crime, violence, or societal unrest. Economic frustration brought on by unemployment, particularly among young people, can result in aggressiveness that manifests itself in self-destructive behaviors such as involvement in criminal activity, insurgencies, and extremist activities. This hypothesis is used in the majority of sociological research investigating the causes of violent conduct, and it is useful to consider while attempting to understand how youth unemployment in Nigeria creates insecurity. The Frustration-Aggression Theory has some flaws even if it is useful in describing the psychological processes by which hardship and unemployment may result in violence. Aggression is not usually the result of frustration, according to critics. For instance, Berkowitz (1989) would argue that although frustration may raise the risk of aggressiveness, the link is mediated by other factors, such as an individual's temperament, social context, or the availability of alternate channels. By doing this, the theory might simplify the many factors that contribute to violence into a single, direct relationship between anger and hostility. Furthermore, the theory fails to account for the many institutional and socioeconomic elements that underlie violence. The radicalization and militancy of young people in Nigeria is also significantly influenced by poverty, illiteracy, and regional disparities. While youngsters who are frustrated by unemployment may turn to violence, political, ideological, and social issues also play a role in their recruitment into militancy or insurgent groups like Boko Haram (Adesoji, 2010). If the Frustration-Aggression Theory is applied without taking these other elements into account, the causality of insecurity may not be fully explained. Frustration-Aggression Theory is nevertheless highly applicable to the psychological effects of youth unemployment in Nigeria, notwithstanding its flaws. Nigerian youths in both the northern and Niger Delta regions suffer from widespread poverty, a lack of economic prospects, and young unemployment. Such economic marginalization causes widespread dissatisfaction, which militant and insurgent organizations intentionally exploit by offering to use young people without jobs as a vehicle for aggression, usually in violent or extreme forms (Aghedo & Eke, 2013). For instance, unemployment is comparatively high, especially among young people, in the northern Nigerian region where banditry and the Boko Haram insurgency are most prevalent. The region's socioeconomic marginalization and the discontent caused by this economic imbalance provide an ideal environment for radical recruitment. Boko Haram exploits the desperation of young people without jobs by offering them pecuniary rewards and a sense of purpose for engaging in violent acts (Adesoji, 2010). International Journal of Research (IJR) e-ISSN: 2348-6848 p-ISSN: 2348-795X Vol. 12 Issue 11 November 2025 Received: 2 November 2025 478 Revised: 17 November 2025 Accepted: 27 November 2025 Copyright  authors 2025 DOI: HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.5281/ZENODO.17737417 Similar to this, young people without jobs in the Niger Delta have long turned their resentment toward multinational corporations and the Nigerian government's exploitation of the area into insurgency. The disgruntled young people have only resorted to use violence as a way to vent their frustration about unemployment and environmental deterioration (Aghedo & Eke, 2013). Because unemployment fuels resentment that eventually results in violence and insecurity, the frustrationaggression mechanism predominates in both situations. The potential of Frustration-Aggression Theory to understand the psychological and behavioral drivers of violence associated to unemployment justifies its use in this study. As demonstrated by the rise in militancy and insurgency in Nigeria, unemployment, especially among young people, is a major source of resentment that can turn into violence. The idea makes it possible to examine how economic hardship, especially unemployment, contributes to violence and security risks. The theory does a good job of highlighting the psychological elements that lead young people without jobs to engage in violent behavior, even though it is unable to fully account for all of the socioeconomic forces at work. Examining the specific causes of criminality and insurgency participation, which are generally disregarded in more comprehensive socio-economic assessments, requires a psychological focus (Onyekwena & Ekeruche, 2019). Second, because it implies that one of the main causes of national security issues is unemployment frustration, the theory is consistent with empirical data in Nigeria, where youth unemployment has been found to correspond with rising insecurity (Oluwaseun & Lekan, 2018). The study collected data using a combination of survey and documentary methods. We used focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) for the survey. The decision was made because it allowed the researcher to learn more about the respondents' detailed perspectives and the many situations related to the topic at hand. Information from books, journal articles, government documents, official and institutional documents like the government gazette, and other pertinent literature like conference papers, periodicals, unpublished papers, and other related materials were gathered for the documentary method. In order to analyze generated data about the study and identify patterns in the communication content of these materials, the study employs content analysis. Therefore, content analysis is a qualitative research technique that entails a methodical assessment of texts in order to interpret and code textual material in order to draw reliable and repeatable conclusions. The qualitative descriptive approach of data analysis, which is based on content analysis, will be used to analyze the data so produced. 4 The contribution of youth unemployment to insurgencies, criminality, and social unrest in Nigeria Youth unemployment in Nigeria has become a significant source of challenges to national security, mostly in the form of social uprisings, criminal activity, and insurgencies. The FrustrationAggression hypothesis provides a useful framework for understanding how youth unemployment and economic hardship can fuel violence and insecurity. This theory holds that people who are angry about unfulfilled needs or unfulfilled dreams may turn their anger into destructive behaviors like International Journal of Research (IJR) e-ISSN: 2348-6848 p-ISSN: 2348-795X Vol. 12 Issue 11 November 2025 Received: 2 November 2025 479 Revised: 17 November 2025 Accepted: 27 November 2025 Copyright  authors 2025 DOI: HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.5281/ZENODO.17737417 engaging in violent protests, criminal activity, or insurgencies. This is especially true in Nigerian regions with high unemployment rates, where social instability and complaints are exacerbated by economic marginalization. Youth Unemployment and Insurgency The rise of insurgent groups, such as those in northern Nigeria, where Boko Haram has used economic concerns to enlist disenfranchised youth, is also closely linked to youth unemployment. The northeastern states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa where Boko Haram is active have especially high unemployment rates, according to Onyekwena and Ekeruche (2019). When young people in these places are economically marginalized and denied access to opportunities and basic services, it fosters an environment that is conducive to the emergence of dissatisfaction. According to the Frustration-Aggression Theory, young people who are disillusioned and unable to find work or a future are more likely to join extremist groups that give them money, a sense of belonging, and a purpose (Aghedo & Eke, 2013). The key to Boko Haram's success is its capacity to take advantage of this dissatisfaction. According to Adesoji (2010), the movement provides young people who are upset with their economic circumstances with a forum to express their anger through aggressive words. The FrustrationAggression Theory explains why young people from low-income backgrounds might be willing to take part in violent movements: their resentment of unfulfilled financial demands is converted into hostility directed against the government or other perceived adversaries. Boko Haram's violence manifests itself in attacks on citizens, educational institutions, and government buildings, disrupting the area and posing serious challenges to national security. Youth Unemployment and Criminality The key to Boko Haram's success is its capacity to take advantage of this frustration. According to Adesoji (2010), the movement provides a forum for disgruntled teenagers to express their rage through harsh rhetoric, shifting their economic grievances to insurgent activities. The FrustrationAggression Theory explains why young people from low-income families would be willing to take part in violent movements: their resentment of unfulfilled financial demands is converted into hostility directed against the government or other perceived adversaries. Boko Haram's hostility manifests itself in attacks on citizens, government buildings, and educational institutions, disrupting the area and posing serious risks to national security. Rising rates of youth unemployment have coincided with an increase in violent crimes including armed robbery and kidnapping for ransom in cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Nwagwu (2022) notes that young people are driven to conduct such crimes in order to alleviate their financial troubles due to economic despair brought on by unemployment. This pattern is explained by the Frustration-Aggression Theory, which shows how economic hardship fuels hostility, which is subsequently directed toward criminal activity. In addition to destroying social order, this rise in crime weakens national security by making people more unstable and afraid. International Journal of Research (IJR) e-ISSN: 2348-6848 p-ISSN: 2348-795X Vol. 12 Issue 11 November 2025 Received: 2 November 2025 480 Revised: 17 November 2025 Accepted: 27 November 2025 Copyright  authors 2025 DOI: HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.5281/ZENODO.17737417 Youth Unemployment and Social Unrest Social instability, such as rallies, strikes, and violent demonstrations, is another way that youth unemployment in Nigeria manifests itself. According to the Frustration-Aggression Theory, people who are economically frustrated for an extended period of time may use social movements to challenge the status quo as a collective form of aggression. Youth-led demonstrations in Nigeria, like the #EndSARS movement, offer a glaring illustration of how social instability can be exacerbated by economic dissatisfaction (Odufuwa, 2021). Police brutality was the initial focus of the protests, but they soon spread to include complaints about poverty, unemployment, and a lack of economic possibilities for young people. Many Nigerian youngsters are deeply frustrated with the government and the economic system, as evidenced by the #EndSARS rallies in 2020, which were mostly organized by unemployed and underemployed youths. According to the dissatisfaction-Aggression Theory, when young people believe that structural obstacles like corruption, nepotism, and bad governance are impeding their future chances, their dissatisfaction over economic deprivation can result in collective acts of aggression. The demonstrations, which descended into violence in a number of regions of the nation, demonstrated how social hostility may result from economic dissatisfaction and pose a serious threat to the stability of the country (Odufuwa, 2021). Nigeria's high youth unemployment rate, which is now expected to be above 42% (NBS, 2023), causes a great deal of frustration, especially among young people who, despite their educational backgrounds, are unable to find fulfilling job. As this annoyance grows, it frequently shows up as hostility, whether through involvement in criminal activity, societal instability, or insurgencies. 5 Evaluation of Government Programs Addressing Youth Unemployment and National Security in Nigeria In an effort to lower youth unemployment and address the ensuing national security issues, Nigeria's government has implemented a number of initiatives in recent years. The National Social Investment Program (NSIP) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are two of the most prominent initiatives. The goals of the NYSC and NSIP are to improve youth employability, promote national integration, and reduce socioeconomic gaps. The effectiveness of these initiatives in accomplishing their goals, however, is debatable. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Founded in 1973, the NYSC is a mandatory one-year program for Nigerian graduates with the goal of promoting youth employment and national integration. The NYSC's deployment of recent graduates to various states across the country enhances cultural integration and reduces ethnic tensions, which are typically associated with national security issues (Adeyemi, 2016). In order to give young people the skills they need for self-employment and reduce unemployment, it includes training on skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development (SAED). While the NYSC has been generally International Journal of Research (IJR) e-ISSN: 2348-6848 p-ISSN: 2348-795X Vol. 12 Issue 11 November 2025 Received: 2 November 2025 481 Revised: 17 November 2025 Accepted: 27 November 2025 Copyright  authors 2025 DOI: HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.5281/ZENODO.17737417 successful in promoting national integration and providing youths with opportunities for experience in different states, it has failed to mitigate unemployment has not been as precise. According to Adebayo and Okafor (2018), the majority of youngsters end their service without gaining the necessary entrepreneurship skills to become employers. The SAED project, while noble, is sometimes underfunded, and participants complain that the training they receive is insufficient to enable them to start their own businesses. Furthermore, the NYSC scheme does not prioritize tackling structural challenges in the Nigerian labor market, such as labor shortages and skill imbalances that contribute to the oversupply of graduate unemployment (Adebayo & Okafor, 2018). Second, while NYSC has helped to alleviate ethnic tensions, particularly in the scheme's early years, its function in national security has weakened in recent years due to regional insecurity. The deployment of corps members to crisis regions such as the North East, where Boko Haram is located, has raised concerns about their safety. A string of attacks on corps members, particularly in the North, has prompted calls to restructure the program (Oluwaseun, 2020). As a result, while the NYSC continues to play an important role in national integration, its ability to contribute to unemployment eradication and national security enhancement is constrained by a number of structural and functional issues. National Social Investment Program (NSIP) The NSIP, which was established in 2016, is a comprehensive program aimed at reducing unemployment and poverty through a series of social welfare actions. The NSIP is built around four essential pillars: N-Power, Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT), the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP). The N-Power programme, which focuses on providing temporary jobs and vocational training to unemployed youngsters, has had the most direct impact on youth unemployment. The N-Power initiative has had some success in giving temporary jobs to Nigerian youths. According to statistics, over 500,000 youths have benefited from the initiative since its commencement (NBS, 2022). Youths are given the option to labor in fields such as education, health, and agriculture while also receiving stipends. However, the N-Power program has been criticized for its short duration and lack of sustainability. Most beneficiaries are working for only two years before being left with no future possibilities for long-term employment and returning to the ranks of the unemployed. Another major issue of N-Power is the lack of a clear exit strategy for beneficiaries. Many participants are anxious about their career prospects once the program ends because the skills they learned are typically not marketable. Ogechi (2021) understands that without proper post-program support, such as credit access or full-time employment, N-Power's long-term impact on young unemployment is just ephemeral. The remaining NSIP components, such as the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), which provides microloans to small enterprises and Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) to low-income families, have similarly had issues with