The Executive Secretary of Calabar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kenneth Assim Ita, has disclosed that there are over 24 million unemployed youths in Nigeria.

He said that if nothing is done to deliberately create jobs, in the next five years, the figure can rise above 60 million.

Ita spoke at the 2023 Nkonib Qua Clan, Calabar Municipality Council Symposium, with the theme, ‘Sustainable Development and Traditional Institutions In The 21st Century’.

Speaking on ‘The Roles and Responsibilities of Youths in Community and National Development’, he said, “Those legally seen as the youths in Nigeria are more than 54% of the total population. 24 million youths are unemployed in Nigeria. In the next five years, it can rise to 60m, if nothing is done to engage them.”

He however cautioned Nigerian youths against waiting on government for jobs.

Ita advised youths to develop entrepreneurship ideas, create jobs and become employers.

“You must persevere, be intentional, dream big but start small.

“Work out your ideas in every sphere of life. If you don’t establish yourself, nobody will give you attention. Entrepreneurship is way out of unemployment.”