MPACT OF POPULATION GROWTH ON UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA; A CASE STUDY OF WARRI METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the impact of population growth on unemployment in Nigeria; a case study of Warri Metropolis. The study focused on the causes of rapid population growth and unemployment in Warri Metropolis; population growth rate and rate of unemployment in Warri Metropolis; impact of population growth on unemployment in Warri Metropolis; role of government in tackling rapid population growth and unemployment issues in Warri Metropolis; and recommended possible ways to address unemployment issues in the study area. Studies have shown that the issue of rapid population growth and unemployment has become a serious concern in most Nigerian cities and towns. The researcher adopted the stratified random sampling technique in dividing the study area into two zones in which two hundred (200) unemployed youths out of the total population were selected. The result of the hypothesis tested indicates that there is significant relationship between population growth and unemployment in Nigeria since the X² calculated value of 103.4 is greater than X² critical value of 9.488 at 0.05 level of significance. The study concluded that rapid population and unemployment is more severe in urban areas of Nigeria. The study recommended that government should organize awareness and job creation scheme in the urban and rural areas. This will go a long way in handling rapid population growth and unemployment issues in the area.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE - ii

DECLARATION - iii

CERTIFICATION -

DEDICATION - v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS - vi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study - - 1

1.2 Statement of  Problem - - 8

1.3 Objective of the Study - 10

1.4 Research Questions- - - - 11

1.5 Statement of the Hypothesis 12

1.6 Significance of  Study - 13

1.7 Scope of the Study - - 14

1.8 Definition of Key Terms - 15

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction - - - - 18

2.2 Conceptual Framework - - 33

2.3 Theoretical Framework - - 45

2.4 Empirical Review - - - 50

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design -- 56

3.2 Population of the Study - 57

3.3 Sample Size - -- 57

3.4Sampling Technique - 58

3.5 Method of Data Collection - 58

3.6 Technique for Data Analysis - 59

3.7 Model Specification and Variable Definition -59

3.8 Measurement of Variables - - 59

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.1 Presentation of Data - -- 60

4.2 Discussion of Findings - - 79

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary - - 80

5.2 Conclusion - -- 80

5.3 Recommendations - 93

References - - 95

Appendix - - 98

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Globally, rapid population growth and unemployment especially among youths has been raised serious concerns to developing and less-developed countries of the world. Youth unemployment has given rise to urban problems such as increased crime rate, kidnapping, arm robbery and housing congestion problems. As pointed out by Folayan (2017), Nigeria has had the worst hit of unemployment in 2012 where statistics from the National Directorate of Employment declared that over 50% of the viable youths in Nigeria are unemployed or under-employed (NDE, 2016). Little did the country (Nigeria) know that 2016 and 2017 will experience massive youth employment of more than 80% youths are unemployed.

In the opinion of Oye, Ibrahim and Ahmed (2021), the state of unemployment demoralizes and increases the need of those who are able and enthusiastic to work but cannot find jobs. Rapid population growth and unemployment is a global phenomenon, but it is more prevalent in most developing countries of the world, with resultant social, economic, political and psychological consequences (Ayinde, 2018; Emeka, 2021). Nigeria’s current unemployment situation is becoming alarming such that a large percentage of educated, able and qualified citizens cannot secure paid employment (Omotosho, 2019). This indicates that Nigeria over the years has steadily crumbled from its extremely resilient and esteemed position among developing nations. One of the major concerns of various administrations in Nigeria is the growing rate of rapid population growth and unemployment in the country and it has consistently formed part of the macroeconomic objectives of the government for the past decades (Omotosha, 2019). According to the World Bank (2018), the growing trend of employment and productivity of the Asian Tigers and Japan is responsible for their enviable and brilliant economic performance. Evidently, absence of the necessary framework to enhance employment and productivity level in Nigeria is the sole cause of the retarded nature of Nigeria, the acclaimed giant of Africa. According to Bryne and Strobl (2019), the trend and problem of rapid population growth and unemployment in Nigeria remains obstinate with a tendency of growing geometrically to alarming rate of 3million unemployed youth annually.

The rate of rapid population growth and unemployment in Nigeria has a devastating effect on the youths both the highly and less educated, even though it has mainly troubled a sizeable portion of youths from less privilege backgrounds (Emeke, 2021). The rate of open unemployment was 12% in March 2005; it rose to 25%. According to Adebayo and Ogunrinola, (2006), unemployment trend in Nigeria touches the job seeker within the ages of 20-24 and 25-44years while there is fewer prevalence of unemployment within the ages of 15-19, 55-59 and 65 years and above with the rate of unemployment being placed at 23.5% (National Directorate of Unemployment, 2017). This figure grew to 50% in 2012 and rose to 78% in 2015 and 80% in 2017 (National Bureau of Statistics, 2017). From this point of view, it is apparent that unemployment, particularly the unemployment of young graduates, hinders Nigeria’s progress in so many ways aside from economic issues, it also creates eminent danger for political stability of our dear country (Hornby, 2020). Consequently, massive youth unemployment as it is presently recorded in Nigeria portends serious multifaceted problems and the threat of unemployment has gradually been identified as a pressing challenge facing Nigeria (Ipaye, Udu and Ugu, 2015).

Rapid population growth and unemployment is one of the major challenges facing developing countries today. As it is been usually phrased, the phenomenon of unemployment in the developing countries constitute an unusual problem to labour market and the general economy of these countries. It is against this background that this study is carried out to examine the impact of population growth on unemployment in Nigeria; a case study of Warri Metropolis.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Rapid population growth and unemployment constitutes a serious socio-economic problem to countries in the world most especially in developing countries, such as Nigeria, Ghana, Niger, Togo and Republic of Benin. Rapid population growth and unemployment has led to the reduction of the aggregate output of the economy and results in underutilization of human resources. In Nigeria, unemployment, mostly youth unemployment is really a tragic condition that requires urgent and proactive attention to curb the men ace (Kayode, Samuel and Silas, 2014).

A cursory look at the state of the nation, portends more danger as the population of unemployed youths continue to rise most especially young graduates becoming unemployed; going with the trend of events in the country, particularly, the decline in crude oil price, economic recession, insurgency in the northern parts of the country and Militancy in the south particularly in Niger Delta region of the country and among other factors. This has often prompt the government of Nigeria to divert the fund budgeted for other sectors to be channelled towards solving these problems (economic recession, decline oil price, insurgency and militancy)

According to Emeke (2021), unemployment is one of the major developmental challenges facing Nigeria at the moment. Obadan and Odusola (2020) have found that the prevalence of unemployment in Nigeria especially in this 21^st century, is getting worst day by day through all faces of age groups, educational level and geographical spread. The challenges of lingering youth unemployment are very obvious in Delta State because every year thousands of graduates are turnout for whom there are no jobs opportunity (Emeka, 2021). As observed by Echebiri (2015) and Uwoma (2016), the Delta State labour market which originally would have provided enough jobs for the timid unemployed youths have failed on their part due to increasing population. The percentage of unemployed youth in 2016, it was 65% percent in the first quarter while in February 2017 rose to 80% (National Directorate of Employment, 2017). This indicates that there is an increase in population of unemployed youth in the state and to the prolonged issue of unemployment in the state. It has resulted to increase in crime been committed in the state, drug abuse, unwanted pregnancy and prostitution. In Warri Metropolis, the situation is even more worrisome, as both the educated and the less educated are affected. The prevalence of unemployment has led many youths in Warri Metropolis to start committing crime such as kidnapping, armed robbery and cyber crime. Studies (Emeke, 2021; and Goldney, 2017; Folayan, 2017) have shown that youth unemployment, globally has been a major concern to geographical studies. The massive youth unemployment in developing countries such as Nigeria has given rise to urban problems such as housing congestion and social vices. The rapid increase in population has resulted to unemployment issues since thousands of graduates leave the school every year. This has posed serious threat to the national development and economic planning which has been a geographical concern to the world at large and Nigeria in particular.

Youth unemployment in Warri Metropolis has posed serious constraints to available land, water, soil and vegetation resources since most youths now resort to agricultural activities. Most unemployed youths now engage in agricultural activities, Okada riding and small scale businesses. Unemployment in urban areas of Warri Metropolis is more severe in urban areas than in rural areas. Most unemployed youths in the rural areas tends to migrate to urban areas in search of greener pasture and source of livelihood. This is evidence that urban areas of Warri Metropolis experience rapid population growth and unemployment problems than rural areas. It has been observed that there are no available jobs in rural areas due to shortage of infrastructural development and lack of social amenities. This study therefore addresses the aforementioned problems.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of population growth on unemployment in Nigeria; a case study of Warri Metropolis. The study seeks to achieve the following objectives;

i. To examine the causes of rapid population growth and unemployment in Warri Metropolis.

ii. To ascertain the population growth rate and rate of unemployment in in Warri Metropolis;

iii. To examine the impact of population growth on unemployment in Warri Metropolis;

iv. To examine the role of government in tackling rapid population growth and unemployment issues in Warri Metropolis; and

v. To recommend possible ways to address unemployment issues in the study area.

1.4 Research Hypotheses

The following hypothesis stated in the null (H₀) and alternative (H₁) form will be tested in this study;

H₀:  There is no significant relationship between population growth and unemployment in Nigeria.

H₁:  There is a significant relationship between population growth and unemployment in Nigeria.

1.5 Significance of the Study

The significance of the study is that it reveal the impact of population growth on unemployment in Nigeria; a case study of Warri Metropolis, society at large and the economy in particular. Secondly, it help to recommend possible ways to solve unemployment issues in Nigeria.

 

1.6 STUDY AREA

The study area (Warri, Delta State) is located in the South-South Geo-Political zone and in the Niger Delta Region of the Southern part of Nigeria. 

1.6.1 Location and size

Warri is one of the most important towns in Delta state, located in the south-western part of Nigeria. Warri is located between latitude 5⁰ 30^N to 5⁰ 55^N of the equator and longitude 5⁰ 29^1E to 5⁰ 48^1E of the Greenwich meridian. It is situated 30 miles or 48km upstream from the port of Forcados and at the terminus of road from Sapele and Ughelli. It has a navigable channel of water front of about 61 meters. The region is often less than 300 meters above sea level and 96km north of Benin City. As a major industrial city in Delta State, on the Niger-Delta region bounded by Warri north in the northern part of the state, in the west by Warri-southwest in the east by Uwvie and Udu, while in the south by Burutu Local Government area. The area forms part of the Warri-Effurun industrial axis in Delta State. Warri is now over 100km². 

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