By George Ozalla
Stakeholders at a national summit on violent extremism and human rights violations have raised concerns over the growing link between youth unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria, warning that millions of young people remain vulnerable to recruitment into criminal and extremist networks due to limited economic opportunities.
The warning was issued in Abuja during the National Stakeholders, Civil Society and Youth Summit Against Violent Extremism and Human Rights Violations in Nigeria organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the National Council for Civil Society Organisations (NACCSO) and the Vision-One Leadership Development Initiative (VOLDI).
Participants at the summit noted that while government and security agencies continue to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities through military and law enforcement operations, lasting peace would remain difficult to achieve without addressing the socio-economic conditions driving many young people toward crime.
Convener of the summit and Executive Director of Vision-One Leadership Development Initiative, Emmanuel Johnny, identified unemployment, poverty and economic hardship as major factors contributing to the rising wave of insecurity across the country.
According to him, the inability of many young Nigerians to secure meaningful livelihoods has created conditions that make them susceptible to cybercrime, kidnapping, illegal mining, violent extremism and other unlawful activities.
Johnny stressed that the country must move beyond discussions and invest deliberately in programmes that equip young people with practical skills, entrepreneurial capacity and access to economic opportunities.
He called on government institutions responsible for employment generation and youth development to expand intervention programmes aimed at reducing joblessness and empowering young Nigerians to become productive contributors to national development.
“The more we prepare the youth for the future, the better it is for the nation,” he said, urging young people to embrace innovation, vocational training, technology-driven opportunities and entrepreneurship rather than waiting indefinitely for government jobs.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu (SAN), the Commission’s Director of Legal Services, Rabi Anwar, said violent extremism continues to pose serious threats to national stability, economic growth and social cohesion.
She noted that thousands of Nigerians have lost their lives to terrorism, banditry, communal violence and related security challenges, while millions have been displaced from their homes and livelihoods.
According to the Commission, women, children, internally displaced persons and persons living with disabilities remain among the most affected victims of insecurity and human rights abuses.
The Commission maintained that although security operations remain necessary, sustainable peace cannot be achieved through force alone. It identified poverty, inequality, social exclusion, weak institutions and lack of opportunities as underlying factors that continue to fuel radicalisation and violent extremism.
Participants at the summit also advocated stronger collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, development partners and the private sector to address the country’s security challenges.
They emphasised the need for policies that combine effective law enforcement with education, economic inclusion, community engagement and respect for fundamental human rights.
The summit ended with a consensus that Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be separated from its economic realities. Participants said expanding opportunities for young people through education, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship would not only improve livelihoods but also strengthen efforts to combat crime and violent extremism.
