YOUTH RESTIVENESS AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A SITUATION STUDY OF NIGER DELTA EXPANSE

Abstract

Youth restiveness has caused a lot of setbacks in the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large. Multi-National Oil Companies’ activities were disrupted thereby resulting in a loss of revenue accruing to the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and by extension the oil-producing states through the 13% derivation. Other problems generated by youth restiveness include land degradation through oil spillage, loss of lives and property, and in most cases human displacement.

This study set out to understand the effects of youth restiveness on the socioeconomic development of Nigeria and the oil-rich Niger Delta region. It adopted a research design, using a questionnaire to generate empirical data in order to outline the nature of youth restiveness in the Niger Delta Region, identify the causes of this youth restiveness, evaluate the effect of this youth restiveness on the socio-economic development in the Niger Delta Region, appraise the actions taken by governments at solving the problem and suggest further measures for solving the conflict situation beyond current government efforts. The study found, among other things, that youth vandalism and kidnapping were targeted mostly at Public and Private (Corporate) facilities; that their restiveness is mostly attributed to lack of employment; and that the declaration of amnesty by the government has gone a long way in addressing youth restiveness. The need for government to allow the federating units to control their resources showed up strongly as well.

Further, the study highlighted the need for different and innovative approaches in promoting youth’s survival and growth by the government through enhanced security, and social and economic policies that will engineer development in the region. More has to be put in place to foster youth inclusion in the scheme of things.