DETERMINANTS OF YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND JOB CREATION IN MUSHIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE

Abstract

This study examined the link between youth unemployment and job creation in Mushin Local Government, Lagos State. Specifically, the study investigated the role of informal sector as a strategy for reducing unemployment in this local government area as a whole and improving the general standard of living of the youth in that area. The major objective of this research is to examine the role of the informal sector in employment provision and generation and its function as a buffer between employment and unemployment. For the purpose of this study, online survey research design was adopted to obtain responses from a sample of youths selected by systematic random sampling technique in Mushin local government, Lagos, Nigeria. Percentages was explored for descriptive statistical analysis. Chi square was explored for inferential statistics. Findings from the study revealed that unemployment has a significant influence (Chi-square test = 230.150, Sig. = 0.000) on the general standard of living of the youths in Mushin Local Government area of Lagos, State. The study found further that overpopulation has significant influence (Chi-square test = 185.148, Sig. = 0.000) on unemployment among youths in Mushin Local Government, Lagos State. Consequently, the study recommended that CBN should come up with favourable policy on interest rate to the advantage of firms and entrepreneurs so that they can produce more jobs for the youths. The study recommended further that the government should develop the agricultural sector of the economy so that it can absorb jobless youths. It was further recommended that government should improve on its funding on primary and secondary education programme to give the youths the basic education for them to be fit for job market.