Hardship: Unemployed youth writes an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, cries for govt’s attention

By Miracle Esegha

A CRY FROM THE ABYSS: UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS OF NIGERIA BEG FOR MERCY, ACTION AND RELIEF FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Office of the National President, Society for the Welfare of Unemployed Youths of Nigeria (SWUYN), Amb. Preye V. Tambou

FCT, Abuja

13th December, 2024

His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Aso Rock Presidential Villa
Abuja, Nigeria

Dear Mr. President,

I am writing to express my deep concern about the escalating hardship and suffering in Nigeria, particularly among unemployed youths. As the National President of the Society for the Welfare of Unemployed Youths of Nigeria (SWUYN), I am compelled to bring to your attention the inadequacies of the government’s efforts to address the challenges facing young people in Nigeria. As we approach the festive season, it is imperative that the federal government takes immediate action to alleviate the plight of unemployed youths and disadvantage Nigerians.

The current economic crisis has pushed millions of Nigerians into poverty, underemployment and unemployment, with over 80% of the population struggling to make ends meet. The removal of fuel subsidies and the liberalization of the exchange rate have only exacerbated the situation, leading to skyrocketing inflation and food prices. It is unacceptable that despite promises of relief, the government’s measures have fallen short, leaving the most vulnerable members of our society to bear the brunt of the crisis. In fact, the numerous policies and programmes initiated by the government to address unemployment and poverty, most of have been mere lip service, lacking tangible evidence of their impact.

The cash transfer programme announced last October, which aimed to provide 25,000 Naira to 15 million people, has been woefully inadequate, with only 1.7 million people benefiting as of December. We need more comprehensive and sustainable solutions to address the root causes of poverty and unemployment.

The government’s policies, such as the National Youth Employment Action Plan, the Presidential CNG Initiative (PI-CNG), Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) programmes, Boot-Camp Training Initiatives by the Ministry of Steel Development, FIRS Youth Job Recruitment, the National Directorate Of Employment (NDE) Renewed Hope Employment Initiative, the National Social Investment Programme, the N-Power programme, and FG/BOI Intervention for 75,000 MSMEs, are commendable initiatives that have failed to yield meaningful results, leaving many young Nigerians without access to decent employment opportunities. The National Youth Confab, which was promised as a platform for youth engagement and empowerment, now seems like an empty promise, merely a political statement aimed at pacifying the growing discontent among young people. It is disheartening to see that the government’s initiatives have not translated into concrete actions, exacerbating the suffering of unemployed youths and disadvantage Nigerians.

The unemployed youths of Nigeria are not feeling the impact of the government policies aimed at cushioning the challenges they face. It appears that most agencies responsible for implementing these programmes do so in a selective and nepotistic manner, focusing primarily on sections of constituencies where they have personal ties and future political aspirations.

Most of the Federal and State Governments Ministries, agencies and commissions put in place to tackle youth-related challenges lack ideas, solid communication mechanisms, good approach towards problem-solving and working relationships with the constituents they are equipped to empower. These parastatals are very selective in passing on information that would benefit the society, and when one tries to follow up with a call or message, some officials discline proposals and courtesies, block lines or emails, go dumb and shy away to avoid being reached. Others are rude, hanging up on callers or speaking to them carelessly, as if they have forgotten that they are in office to serve the public, not themselves and their personal ties.

If government officials cannot communicate properly or make themselves available to be reached, they should not hold public office but private enterprises. This lack of accountability and transparency perpetuates the systemic issues that perpetuate poverty and unemployment among young people.

This lack of transparency and pervasive corruption has severely undermined the system, ensuring that the most disadvantaged Nigerians do not benefit from government programmes. Despite numerous initiatives, youth unemployment remains a significant challenge.

The issue is further compounded by the fact that many of these programmes are not integrated into long-term development plans, and their implementation is often hindered by inadequate funding, limited institutional capacity, and poor oversight.

Assurances and promises alone cannot resolve the challenges facing disadvantaged Nigerians. Concrete actions and tangible results are needed to address the systemic issues perpetuating poverty and unemployment. The government must prioritize transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in its policy implementation to ensure that the most vulnerable members of society benefit from its programmes.

We call on you, Mr. President, to take immediate action to address these concerns. We request that the federal government implements a comprehensive social security system, increases funding for education and healthcare, provides sustainable economic empowerment programmes, and ensures transparency and accountability in the allocation and utilization of resources meant for social welfare programmes.

The time for empty promises is over; we need tangible actions that will bring relief to the suffering masses. We look forward to seeing concrete evidence of the government’s commitment to addressing the economic hardship and promoting the welfare of unemployed youths and all Nigerians.

Amb. Preye V. Tambou
National President, (SWUYN)
Swuynnigeria@gmail.complp