Youth unemployment and crime creation in Nigeria: an exploratory study

Abstract

For ages, nations have had to deal with one form of crime or another, a phenomenon now referred to as the ‘darker side of humanity,’ which has led to an increase in the amount of literature available to guide this study. The traditional economic model of crime explains that a criminal act depends on the benefits of successfully committing a crime. Youths are people between the ages of 15 and 24, with a total of about one billion youths globally. One in five people globally falls within this age range. A staggering 90 percent of these youths are located in developing countries. This situation raises concerns about the potential implications of joblessness on youth behaviour and social stability. Unemployment may push some youths toward criminal activity as a means of survival or social expression. This study seeks to explore this possibility by investigating the relationship between youth unemployment and crime in Nigeria. Drawing from existing literature, newspapers, and secondary data from sources such as the National Bureau of Statistics, the World Bank, and official police crime records, the study examines whether rising unemployment among Nigerian youths significantly contributes to crime trends across the country. This study aims to explain the concepts of youth unemployment and crime, examine common crimes committed by youths in Nigeria, identify prevalent types of unemployment, explore the link between youth unemployment and crime, and determine the region with the highest crime rate. Using qualitative methods, charts, and tables, the study analyzes data spanning different periods to uncover patterns and potential causality. This study was driven by the persistent link between youth unemployment and crime in Nigeria. It employed relevant available data, charts and tables from trusted sources to explain and investigate the patterns and inform practical solutions. The results of this study indicate that Nigeria has a limited number of formal employment opportunities for its youths, resulting in criminal behaviour, especially offenses against property and persons, as seen by the substantial presence of youths in the criminal justice system. This unemployment crisis is a result of the high population density of young people and the limited formal job market. The study concludes by recommending integrated policy measures that prioritize youth employment