NBS: 90% of workers operate in insecure environment

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

As the federal government and stakeholders continue the search for solutions to the prevailing unemployment crisis in Nigeria, the German International Development Agency – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has   cautioned that high underemployment rates are hindering the country’s progress.

Quoting the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), GIZ- GmbH which is a German federal enterprise engaged in the implementation of Skills Development for Youth Employment – SKYE” in Nigeria also said that there is a high rate of people working in the informal sector in Nigeria and in a potentially unprotected work environment estimated to be at above 90 percent of the total workforce.

Speaking at a 2-day conference organised by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, a German federal enterprise with worldwide operations, held on Monday and Tuesday in Abuja, Team Leader of GIZ SKYE,  Dr. Detlef Barth, said that there is a corresponding high rate of underemployment resulting in frustration amongst the youths in the country.

While speaking on the topic: “Addressing Labour Market Challenges through Delivery of Innovative Employment Services” Barth said the conference was aimed at adopting sustainable models drawn from best practices observed in other regions, and establishing structured and sustainable working groups between ministries, private sector and international organizations on specific topics.

His words: “I stand before you today with a sense of purpose and urgency, recognizing the important role that innovative employment services play in addressing the challenges of Nigeria’s labour market.

“In Nigeria nearly two-thirds of the 220 million people are under the age of 25. According to a former Minister of Education the future of Nigeria, both as a nation and a key player on the African continent, depends on its youth. But high unemployment and underemployment rates hinder their progress. The Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics reported a youth unemployment rate of almost 54 percent in 2022.

“Also, the high rate of people working in the informal sector and therefore in a potentially unprotected work environment is estimated by the NBS to be at above 90 percent of the total workforce.

“This goes along with a high rate of underemployment.

These are not mere numbers but human and social tragedies. Human capital is not utilized, and a generation of frustrated young people might be the consequence.”

The conference which sought to find innovative solutions to address the pressing challenges within Nigeria’s labour market was put together in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The GIZ SKYE programme aimed to use the conference as a starting point for a more youth and practice-oriented PES in Nigeria.

Barth said the first objective of this conference is the exploration of best practices within Public Employment Services (PES), adding that there is the need to investigate and identify optimal practices that can be adapted and implemented to the context in Nigeria.

In addition, he said the second objective is to facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement and commitment at this conference and beyond.

“Our third objective centers on the presentation and discussion of strategic direction plans and overarching topics. We will delve into the National Employment Policy, the Youth Employment Action Plan, job matching in other countries and PES in relation to migration. This is crucial to understand PES from different angles to strengthen it,” he said.

Panellists at the conference said that since the search for employment opportunities is one key motivation for migration, it is necessary for appropriate information to be provided for those leaving the country and wanting to make headway abroad.

They also said that the focus of the National Public Employment Services should be to prepare both those seeking to migrate out of the country for greener pastures and those voluntarily seeking to relocate back to the country with relevant information.

Key international and African stakeholders in attendance included: the World Association of Public Employment Services (WAPES), the International Labour Organization, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare from Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education from Cameroon, the Department of Higher Education in South Africa, the Kampala City Authority in Uganda and many others.