Unemployment and Entrepreneurship Development Among Youth in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
The main objective of this study is to examine the relationship between unemployment and entrepreneurship development among youth in Ibarapa Central LGA. The specific objectives are:
- To identify the major causes of youth unemployment in Ibarapa Central LGA.
- To assess the impact of entrepreneurship development initiatives on youth employment in the area.
- To examine the challenges faced by youths in accessing and benefiting from entrepreneurship opportunities.
Chapter Two
Literature Review
Introduction
Economically, Ibarapa Central is largely agrarian. The majority of its inhabitants are engaged in farming activities, cultivating crops such as cassava, maize, yam, and vegetables. Fruit farming, especially of oranges and mangoes, is also widespread. The fertile land and favorable climatic conditions make agriculture a viable source of livelihood, yet the sector remains largely subsistence-based and under-mechanized. Animal husbandry, particularly the rearing of goats and poultry, complements crop production, further highlighting the area’s agricultural potential. Additionally, petty trading, artisanal works, and small-scale enterprises form the backbone of the non-farming economy in the LGA.
Despite this agricultural abundance, Ibarapa Central faces several developmental bottlenecks. Infrastructure in the area is generally poor, with many rural roads remaining untarred and becoming impassable during the rainy season. Access to clean water, electricity, quality healthcare, and functional education facilities remains limited, thereby hindering the socioeconomic mobility of residents, particularly the youth. Educational institutions, though present, are often underfunded and lack modern facilities, which affects the quality of learning and the employability of school leavers. These limitations contribute significantly to the growing issue of youth unemployment, as many young individuals are unable to find productive engagement after completing their education.
Unemployment among youths in Ibarapa Central is exacerbated by the lack of industrial presence. Unlike urban centers such as Ibadan, which benefit from private sector investment and a diversified economy, Ibarapa Central has limited exposure to such opportunities. The concentration of economic activity in agriculture and informal trade has not been matched by corresponding efforts in industrialization, vocational training, and enterprise development. As a result, many youths either remain jobless or migrate to urban areas in search of better opportunities, often adding to the urban unemployment burden or engaging in low-skilled jobs that do not match their qualifications.
References
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