Concerns rise as Executive Secretary warns of potential surge in youth unemployment

Kenneth Assim Ita, the Executive Secretary of Calabar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has raised alarm over the current state of unemployment among Nigerian youths. Speaking at the 2023 Nkonib Qua Clan, Calabar Municipality Council Symposium, themed ‘Sustainable Development and Traditional Institutions In The 21st Century,’ Ita revealed that the number of unemployed youths in Nigeria has already reached over 24 million.

Expressing further concern, Ita warned that without deliberate efforts to create job opportunities, this figure could skyrocket to more than 60 million in the next five years. During his presentation on ‘The Roles and Responsibilities of Youths in Community and National Development,’ he emphasized that youths, constituting over 54% of the total population, face a critical challenge that demands urgent attention.

Ita advised against relying solely on the government for job opportunities, urging youths to explore entrepreneurship as a viable solution. Encouraging them to develop innovative business ideas, he stressed the importance of perseverance, intentionality, and the willingness to start small while dreaming big. According to Ita, entrepreneurship offers a practical path out of the looming threat of unemployment, and establishing oneself is key to gaining attention and support in the business world.