The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Unemployment in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the nexus between COVID-19 and unemployment in Nigeria. Specifically, the paper seeks to examine the causes and effects of unemployment in Nigeria, identify the economic group that is worst hit by unemployment, as well as to ascertain the impact of COVID-19 on unemployment in Nigeria. Methodology: As a theoretical study, the study made use of secondary source of data and content analysis. The study found a plethora of factors such as: illiteracy, corruption, lack of industrialization, lack of entrepreneurship education and teaching of financially viable skills, poor economy, laziness, and lack of functional infrastructure, among others as causes of unemployment in Nigeria while crime, prostitution, youth restiveness, armed robbery, terrorism, street-begging and juvenile delinquency were found to be the effects of unemployment in Nigeria. Findings: It was equally found that, the youths are the worst-hit by unemployment in Nigeria. The study findings show that, the rate of unemployment jumped up with the advent of COVID-19. Recommendations were made in the areas of employment generation, industrialisation, sound economic policies, provision of basic infrastructure, skill acquisition, apprenticeship scheme and other forms of technical and vocational training. Recommendation: On the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical measures on the pandemic's protocol should be strictly adhered to. Temporally, palliative measures can be given to cushion the effects of the pandemic.