Key Points

• Peter Obi links Nigeria’s 80% youth unemployment rate to leadership failure and poor economic direction.

• He says over 80 million young Nigerians remain jobless despite the country’s large youth population.

• Obi urges youth-focused leadership, investment in production, and active political participation.

Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has described Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate as a clear failure of leadership.

Obi reacted to a report by ActionAid and Plan International, which puts youth unemployment at about 80 percent.

He said the figure translates to more than 80 million unemployed young Nigerians.

Obi shared his views in a post on his verified X account.

Comparison With Other Countries

According to Obi, Nigeria has the highest number of unemployed youths in the world because of its large population.

He compared the situation with South Africa, where youth unemployment stands at about 60 percent.

He noted that South Africa’s rate amounts to roughly six million unemployed youths. That figure, he said, is still more than 70 million fewer than Nigeria’s.

Blame on Governance and Policy Choices

Obi accused the Bola Tinubu-led administration of failing to invest in young people. He said mass youth unemployment reflects leadership failure, not a lack of talent among Nigerians.

“When millions of youths remain without jobs, it is not a youth problem. It is a leadership problem,” Obi stated.

He blamed political greed, wasteful spending, corruption, and poor economic choices.

He added that unproductive borrowing and weak policies have reduced opportunities and deepened poverty. According to him, these failures leave young people exposed to crime and social vices.

Youth Population and Missed Opportunities

Obi said Nigeria has one of the world’s largest youth populations, with about 75 percent of citizens under 35. He described unemployment at this level as a national emergency.

Instead of supporting micro, small, and medium-sized businesses to drive growth, Obi said leaders chose policies that weakened the economy.

He stressed that Nigeria does not lack creative or hardworking youths.

“What Nigeria lacks are leaders who are intentional about creating opportunities,” he wrote.

Call for Youth-Focused Leadership

Obi said sustainable jobs come from deliberate investment in production, transparency, and people-focused governance.

He urged young Nigerians to take part in the political process and elect leaders who understand their needs.

He said Nigeria deserves leadership that is competent, compassionate, and capable of empowering the youth.

According to Obi, the country can still achieve meaningful change through responsible leadership.