Youth unemployment remains a major challenge in Nigeria, with thousands of graduates struggling to secure jobs despite their educational qualifications.

Experts have identified practical education, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship as critical measures to addressing the problem and strengthening the nation’s economy.

They also stress the need for government to create an enabling environment for small businesses, improve access to affordable credit and promote sustainable job opportunities for young people.

A Social Analyst, Kayode Oladipupo, advocates a shift towards practical and technical education, saying it would better prepare young people for the demands of the labour market.

Similarly, an Economic Expert, Mr Bankole OlaOluwa, emphasises the importance of acquiring relevant skills before and after graduation to improve employability and encourage self-reliance.

Some youths who spoke with Orange FM also believe that practical skills and entrepreneurship could provide alternative sources of income and reduce dependence on scarce formal employment opportunities.

The experts note that government jobs alone cannot absorb the growing youth population, urging authorities to support small and medium-scale enterprises as well as young entrepreneurs with funding and other necessary resources.

In Ondo State, the government says it is implementing programmes aimed at promoting youth employment, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, Fade Ojamomi, highlights the state government’s interventions in addressing unemployment among young people.

Stakeholders, however, maintain that tackling youth unemployment requires sustained investment in practical education, job creation and entrepreneurship support.

They say empowering young Nigerians with relevant skills and opportunities would enable them to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the nation.