IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP RESEARCH (JPSLR )

E-ISSN 2504-883X
P-ISSN 2695 2432
VOL. 10 NO. 4 2024
DOI: 10.56201/jpslr.v10.no4.2024.pg57.67

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Youth Unemployment and N-Power Programme in Nigeria: An Appraisal of the Challenges of Implementation in Rivers State, 2016-2022

Ethel Innocent Amadi Ph.D, and Samuel Timinere Ogidi

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Abstract

Over the years the issue of unemployment among the youthful population in Nigeria has been a challenging one. The introduction of N-Power Programme was to help mop up the array of unemployed youths across the country, designed to assist young graduates acquire and develop life-long skills that can pull them out of the circle of vulnerability. The paper explores the myriad of challenges faced in the implementation of the N-Power programme in Rivers State. With objectives to examine its achievement in the area of mitigating the problem of youth unemployment. For theoretical framework, Policy Feedback theory was adopted. Descriptive research design was utilized for methodology, while data was derived from secondary sources. Content method was used in analysing the data. The findings reveals a landscape that is marred by mismanagement, technological deficiencies, and delayed payments. Based on the findings, the paper concludes that such revelations underscores an urgent need for a holistic overhaul of the programme, a commitment to accountability, transparency and adaptability to the recipients environment, to attract more participants. The paper therefore recommends that there should be improvements in the areas of transparency, strengthening oversight, upgrading technological infrastructure, adoption of a merit-based selection process, in addition to ensuring timely disbursement of allowances to the beneficiaries of N-Power Programme. These points are so crucial for revitalizing the N-Power schemes as a catalyst for positive change and with the potentials for employment generation for the teeming youths in Rivers and Nigeria at large.

keywords:

N-Power; Unemployment; Youths; N-Power Programme; Youth Unemployment

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