Senator Osita Izunaso, who represents Imo West Senatorial District, has raised concerns over the alarming rate of youth unemployment in Nigeria, describing the situation as a national crisis that requires urgent attention from both government and young people.
The lawmaker made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Youth Forum, where discussions focused on the growing skills and knowledge gap among Nigerian youths and its impact on employment opportunities.
According to Izunaso, many young Nigerians lack adequate knowledge of government policies and programmes specifically designed to support their development and economic empowerment.
He expressed concern that a significant number of youths are unaware of opportunities available through government initiatives such as the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund, which provides financial support for entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and digital innovation.
“There is a lot that young people need to know about politics and what is happening in the country. Many of them are not aware of government policies that directly affect their future,” Izunaso said.
“I am not sure that many of the youths gathered here today are aware of the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund, where young people can access government support to start businesses, particularly in skills development and digital assets.
“That is why I believe youth unemployment in Nigeria has reached a stage where it can rightly be described as a crisis. Many young people do not know what to do or what opportunities are available to them.”
The senator urged Nigerian youths to become more intentional about their future by developing clear goals, seeking mentorship and identifying positive role models who can inspire them to achieve success.
Reflecting on his own generation, Izunaso said young people in the past were guided by strong aspirations and individuals they admired and hoped to emulate.
“When we were growing up, we had dreams and ambitions. We had people we looked up to and wanted to be like at different stages of our lives,” he said.
“If I reached 30 years of age, I wanted to achieve certain things. If I got to 40, I had people I wanted to emulate. Today, young people need to ask themselves: who are their role models? What kind of future do they want? Do they want to be entrepreneurs, political leaders, innovators or active participants in nation-building?”
He stressed that having a clear vision and a sense of direction is essential for success in today’s competitive environment.
“You must have a vision. You must have focus. Young people need to understand where they are heading and begin taking practical steps towards achieving their goals,” he stated.
The senator also expressed concern over what he described as a growing obsession among some youths with getting rich quickly without following legitimate pathways to success.
According to him, the desire for instant wealth has contributed to the rise of unethical and criminal activities involving young people.
“One of the most troubling trends I have observed is that many youths want to become wealthy overnight. Without learning skills or building careers, everyone wants quick money,” he said.
That is why some young people become involved in activities that are not proper because they are looking for shortcuts to success.
Izunaso called on Nigerian youths to embrace hard work, education, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition as sustainable routes to economic empowerment.
His comments come amid growing concerns over unemployment and underemployment among young Nigerians, as well as increasing calls for government and private sector collaboration to create more job opportunities and bridge the country’s widening skills gap.
Stakeholders have repeatedly emphasised the need for investments in technical education, digital skills and vocational training to prepare young Nigerians for emerging opportunities in the modern economy.
The senator maintained that while government has a responsibility to create an enabling environment for growth, young people must also take personal responsibility for their development by seeking knowledge, building relevant skills and positioning themselves for opportunities.
He said addressing youth unemployment requires a collective effort that combines government support, private sector participation and a renewed commitment by young Nigerians to pursue productive and meaningful careers.
