PAPER NAME SKILLS ACQUISITION: A PANACEA FOR YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENTAND INSECURITY IN NIGERIA  AUTHOR AUDU PAUL AKOGWU, PhD ONYEDINEFU MABEL CHIOMA, PhD  SKILLS ACQUISITION: A PANACEA FOR YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND INSECURITY IN NIGERIA BY AUDU PAUL AKOGWU, PhD AND ONYEDINEFU MABEL CHIOMA, PhD Abstract This study examines skills acquisition as a panacea to unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria. Unemployment and insecurity is among the pressing challenges bedeviling Nigeria in recent times. The causation of insecurity in Nigeria has been traced to the increasing rate of unemployment. Skills acquisition programme is one of the intervention plans that can bridge the gap between unemployment and job creation. This study adopts the secondary method of data as its research methodology. The study also adopts the Human capital theory as its theoretical framework. Findings reveal that causes of unemployment can be attributed to corruption, low standard of education, lack of prerequisite skills, rapid population growth, amongst others. This has invariably contributed to the rising spate of insecurity in Nigeria. The study therefore concludes that training in vocational and technical skills will ensure job creation and entrepreneurship development which would in turn curb unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria. The study recommends that skills acquisition be made a foundation in school curriculum in the country and must be heavily invested upon by the three tiers of government including the private sector. Keywords: skills, skills acquisition, unemployment, and insecurity Introduction Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and the second biggest economy, third largest in military power and largest oil producing country in Africa (10th oil producer in the world) (OECD, 2012), has regularly fared badly on the population Development Index despite its rich population and resources. Decades of unrestrained corruption, weak management, and incompetent administration have slowed economic growth, underutilizing the nation's resources, and causing significant unemployment and poverty. Unemployment is a major issue in Nigeria. A percentage of the workforce that is unemployed yet actively seeking jobs. Nigeria had high unemployment in the 1980s according to research; however, according to local and international reports and evident joblessness, Nigeria has never had such high unemployment as serious as it has now (Ekong & Ekong, 2016). Nigeria's unemployment rose from 8.5% in 1985 to 33.3% in 2020. Nigeria has the second-highest youth unemployment rate in the world, behind South Africa at 61% (FIJ, 2023). Nigeria’s unemployment began during the 1970s oil boom. The Nigerian government and people overlooked developing and employing abilities through entrepreneurial approaches to improve individual and national economic performance. The focus shifted from entrepreneurship to academic qualifications resulting in increased unemployment (Ekong & Ekong, 2016). A large amount of the labor was absorbed by the agricultural, industrial, and growing public service sectors. Agriculture (cocoa, groundnut, palm kernel, palm oil, and cassava) and other artisanal methods drove the country's economic growth before the oil boom. Nigerian schools fostered artisan skills from basic school. During that period, Nigeria had skilled carpenters, painters, auto mechanics, fashion designers, and hairdressers. As Nigeria's oil dependency expanded, interest in agriculture and skill development diminished. Many new graduates began to rely on white-collar jobs instead of their skills. The resultant effect was the increasing rate of unemployment. Unemployment has been attributed to the increasing rate of crime and its vices in Nigeria. Nigerian crime has skyrocketed in recent decades. Insurgency, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, violent extremism, armed militancy, abduction, herdsmen attacks, unidentified gunmen, cybercrimes, and kidnappings. The assaults caused deaths, house devastation, livelihood losses, and millions of refugees. Nigeria faces violent wars, arms and small weapons proliferation, refugees and internally displaced persons, forced labor, brutality against women, poverty, corruption, lack of basic healthcare, terrorism, and loss of constitutionalism and the rule of law (Okechukwu & Nwekwo, 2020). Nigeria's security challenges may damage democracy and ultimately to a military takeover. Nigeria's economic growth may be hampered by armed youth's internal insurrection. Youth war involvement is mostly caused by government issues. Wealth distribution, power-sharing, government failure to supply and protect citizens, arbitrary authority, and economic and social disintegration may be reasons. These issues may lead youth to violence and crime. Without addressing the root causes of youth unemployment and disenfranchisement, cities worldwide will continue to cycle between instability, insecurity, crime, poverty, and unemployment, hindering socioeconomic growth. High insecurity rates have been connected to numerous factors, including high unemployment. Youth discontent and illegal activity have escalated due to high juvenile unemployment. Youth radicalism is fueled by unemployment and poverty. Youth unemployment causes societal unrest, dejection, familial dependence, and despair, which may lead to criminal activity like kidnapping, extortion, terrorism, militancy, etc. Training people or organizations to survive is called skills acquisition. Instruction in various business fields is provided via a written agreement between instructors and students for a set duration and terms (Idoko, 2021). Scholars (Ikegwu, et al., 2014) found that skills acquisition reduces unemployment in Nigeria, fosters a positive work attitude, fosters entrepreneurial skills, promotes youth self-reliance, advances technology, and reduces poverty and crime. The political authorities of Nigeria are struggling with unemployment and joblessness, but vocational training and skills acquisition programs in schools may help. Nigeria has high unemployment and insecurity due to population growth, yearly school graduates, economic deterioration, and a lack of investment possibilities, which limits job development and infrastructure (Umenyili, 2022). This paper examines skills acquisition as a panacea for combating unemployment and security challenges in Nigeria Research Methodology This study relied secondary materials such as books, journals, internet journals, and pertinent articles. The study expanded on prior research on skills development as a solution to unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria using a descriptive approach. Theoretical Framework The human capital theory will support this study among the many job creation hypotheses. Human Capital Theory Human Capital—knowledge and abilities—can evaluate talents (Becker, 1964). According to Acemoglu and Autor (2011), human capital is a worker's learned or innate knowledge and attributes that improve productivity. The African Development Report (2011) defines human capital as the “stock of economically productive human capabilities” that includes knowledge, health, skills, entrepreneurial potential, drive, and other success factors. Human capital is acquired via education and shared across enterprises. Specialized training can teach carpentry and dentistry. Smith's Wealth of Nations (1776) inspired human capital study. Smith stated job-creation training and learning are human capital investments in the Human Capital Theory. SME owner-managers and employees are human capital. Training and development improve SME performance by providing information, skills, and capacities. According to Ogunyomi and Bruning (2016), on-the-job training, workshops, seminars, conferences, and more can help businesses hire skilled workers. The human capital theory emphasizes training, skills, and productivity. Human capital theory says general or specific training enhances worker productivity and firm profitability, according to Georgiadis and Pitelis (2014). Their study indicated that staff training increased labor, production, and profit. The Centre for Workplace Skills (2011) says SMEs avoid training and job creation because they have smaller and less dedicated HR departments. Smaller enterprises cannot afford business training without government-provided training and consulting. According to human capital theory, job creation and training knowledge and skills reduce productivity and are investments for smaller SMEs with limited funds. Human capital theory suggests that investing in employees' knowledge, skills, and experience pays off, according to Flamholtz and Lacey (1981). Generally, human capital theory suggests job creation influences SME performance. To boost production, sales, and profitability, SMEs should create jobs that develop unique knowledge, skills, and talents. Thus, high performance requires training and job creation. The current analysis is justified by the employment creation hypothesis, which regards human capital investment as an independent variable affecting national security. Human capital and skills may have complementary roles in development. National technology adoption and total factor productivity increase with human capital. Skills acquisition initiatives target unemployment, skills gap, and human capital development. Conceptual Framework Skills Acquisition A skill also known as talent is the ability to perform something well. According to Guthrie (1952), skills are the ability to achieve a goal with minimal effort and time. Practice is needed to develop such skills. Skill acquisition involves constant practice to build such talents. It is also the ability and capacities earned via purposeful, methodical, and persistent effort to smoothly and adaptively do complex tasks or job duties involving ideas, objects, and/or people (Nwaozor, 2022). Speelman (2005) defines skills as the ability to perform something well, generally acquired via training or experience. Post-training or practical skills are commonly developed. Skills acquisition involves learning or acquiring skills. It entails learning a new skill or method through training or experience. Skills acquisition involves a person learning a skill via intense instruction over time. Skill acquisition requires theoretical and practical instruction regardless of time. Donli (2004) believes that skills acquisition is the expression of concept and knowledge via training to inculcate entrepreneurship for meaningful growth. He says that if people can learn economic self-sufficiency skills, it will boost their charm in any job. He adds that skill gain boosts competitiveness and collaboration. According to Magbagbeola (2004), skills’ learning involves integrating theoretical and practical knowledge to improve work performance. He lists the principles for skills acquisition program maintenance, including: Provision of training that gives the trainees the opportunities to acquire skills that are appropriate for preparation in a field of trade for gainful employment. Provision of definite skills that relate to each trade that makes one a professional in one field instead of the others. Training have to be done by competent, experienced and qualified instructors Skills acquisition requires much practice, patience, interest, ability, aptitude and personality traits. Skills acquisition requires conducive environment. Training requires constructive human relationship, business skills, imitation and constructive ideas.   The above scenario indicates that skills development requires a holistic approach to creative ideation. It inspires creativity from knowledge and skills. Cognitive, technical, and social skills are included. Cognitive skills entail concepts, technical skills involve managing goods or a human effort efficiently, and interpersonal skills involve engaging with people in business or work environments (Nwaozor, 2022).Some learn skills to augment their knowledge and livelihood. Nigerians excel at fashion, farming, catering, soap, shoe, welding, painting, blogging, IT, and more. Business skills are crucial in the 21st century, especially in developing nations like Nigeria, Africa's giant, due to the job gap. Insecurity Security protects lives, property, and other necessities. According to Ogunleye et al. (2011), security includes all methods of protecting citizens and their property against violence. This includes protection from all threats and disruptions. Achumba, Ighomereho, and Akpor-Robaro (2013) define insecurity two ways. To begin with, insecurity means being vulnerable to damage or injury. The second type of insecurity is danger or worry, which is a hazy feeling of impending doom. These definitions of insecurity emphasize that persons afflicted by it are not only ignorant of what will happen but also vulnerable to risks and hazards. Security can be defined as a stable and steady income, knowing what to expect, feeling safe, safety or protection from emotional stress from knowing one is needed, accepted, loved, and protected in one's community or neighborhood and by others. Achumba, et al. argue that security is the protection against all forms of harm, whether physical, economic, or psychological, and that it is not only the absence of threats or security issues but the ability to respond to them quickly and expertly. Unemployment According to the International Labour Organization (1982), unemployment is when persons are unemployed and actively seeking work within five weeks. The unemployment rate is 37.2%, derived by dividing the number of unemployed by all persons currently in the workforce. The National Bureau of Statistics (2011) defines unemployment rate as the percentage of individuals who sought work but were unable to obtain it for at least 40 hours during the reference period to the total currently active (labour force) population. Thus, unemployment is a broad group of people who want to work but can't. Unemployment results from labor supply exceeding demand (Okafor, 2011). Every economy has active and inactive inhabitants. The economically active population includes people working and the unemployed. The ILO defines the unemployed as economically active persons who are jobless but available for employment, including those who have lost their jobs or voluntarily quit work (Anyadike, Emeh, Ukah, 2012). Nigerians aged 25–44 have the highest unemployment rate (47.5%), followed by the age group (32%). This seems to match ILO worldwide numbers for these categories of 47.4% and 46.7%. However, secondary and post-secondary graduates have a higher unemployment rate than the national average (19.7%) (African Development Report, 2011). Unemployment has boosted militancy, violent crimes, kidnappings, restiveness, and social delinquency in Nigeria, especially among young. Youth unemployment hurts both the individual and the society as a whole both psychologically and economically. Causes of Unemployment in Nigeria In the study of causes of unemployment in Nigeria, Anyadike, Emeh, Ukah, (2012), Uddin and Uddin (2013), Akande (2014), Okafor (2011), identify some of the main causes of unemployment in Nigeria as follows: A) Rural-urban migration: youths relocate to cities for attractive jobs in industries. Additionally, metropolitan centers have more social facilities. This implies rural communities are overlooked for social and economic prospects. B) Rapid population growth: The 2006 census in Nigeria recorded 140,431,790 people, with projections of over 220 million by 2023, based on a 3.2% annual growth rate (National Population Commission and ICF Macro, 2009). Due to increasing population growth, the labor force is growing faster than employment supply. The rapid population expansion in Nigeria has several effects on the job economy. It impacts the supply side by rapidly increasing the labor force relative to the economy's absorptive capacity. C) Low standard of education: The majority of Nigerian graduates lack the necessary skills for employment due to low education standards. Nigeria's education system may explain this. Most Nigerian tertiary institutions lack entrepreneurial material that would have prepared graduates to create jobs. D) The rapid expansion of the educational system: The fast development of the educational system in Nigeria adds to young unemployment by increasing the supply of trained workers beyond the need. Nigeria cannot accommodate this many graduates due to its underdeveloped economy. E) Insufficient power supply: Nigeria's economic climate hinders investment owing to insufficient electricity supply. Energy issues force firms to use generators, raising operating costs. Some factories have closed or moved to better economic conditions, leaving their workforce unemployed. F) Corruption: Development funds are looted, misdirected, or embezzled and stored in foreign banks. Incompetent bureaucrats and administrators at public businesses and parastatals led to their liquidation. This has further weakened the economy and increased unemployment, causing poverty, hunger, frustration, crime, and insecurity. G) Lack of skills: Lack of necessary skills for self-employment is a major cause of young unemployment worldwide. In Nigeria, undergraduates prioritize certifications above skills. It is humiliating that most poor nations' electronics and computer engineering graduates cannot make or repair electrical appliances. Lack of skills is the main factor. H) Bad governance: The World Bank (1992) defines bad governance as failure to distinguish between public and private resources, arbitrary law enforcement, and excessive regulations that hinder market functioning and encourage rent-seeking. Bad governance includes mismatched priorities with development, which misallocates national resources, and limited or non-transparent decision making. I) Poor mechanization: Mechanization refers to the use of machinery or automation to streamline industrial operations. Many Nigerian farmers utilize rudimentary machinery to grow crops. Many quit or struggle to work in agriculture due to these factors. Good mechanization procedures would have allowed many firms to hire additional staff. Effects of youth unemployment One of Nigeria's biggest societal issues is unemployment. It impacts everyone, from young to elderly, and has major economic and security effects. Unemployment hurts economic growth and national security. About 37.2 percent of Nigerians are unemployed. That high unemployment rate implies many Nigerians cannot find jobs. The societal effects of unemployment include poverty, inequality, and lack of basic utilities. Economic deterioration, criminality, and political instability would result. Many Nigerians turn to crime to survive the unemployment crisis. Youth without jobs are more likely to engage in antisocial or illegal behavior that undermines society. An unstable society raises market risk. This worries investors. Unemployed and underemployed youths are more likely to engage in crime (European teenagers Forum, 2011). The unemployed are more likely to develop mental health issues like depression. Unemployment will likely isolate people economically, culturally, and socially. Unemployment increases youth drug and alcohol usage and criminality. High young unemployment harms productivity and growth. Since many university graduates cannot find jobs and use their skills to produce or innovate and boost economic growth, talent and skills may be lost. Having a large share of the young workforce unemployed reduces productivity and GDP and raises economic costs for the state, as Nigeria pays more and receives less tax revenue (European Youth Forum, 2013). Unemployed teenagers pose a severe danger to democracy because they may be recruited by the political elite for anti-democratic actions (Okafor, 2011). The Impact of Skills Acquisition Skills allow entrepreneurship in every nation and are needed in all fields. Most importantly, skills acquisition helps all classes in a society, especially the people. Skills acquisition creates jobs, empowers, and fosters entrepreneurship. Skills acquisition helps youths become wealth and job producers instead of seekers. In general, money and work reduce poverty and improve citizen welfare. Entrepreneurship is the capacity and willingness to start, run, and profit from a business. Henry et al. (2003) believe entrepreneurship drives nations' economies by producing new industries, young entrepreneurs, jobs, and wealth. Entrepreneurship creates creative, innovative small, medium, and big enterprises. Business success helps build the nation. It also decreases poverty by increasing young employment. Anyadike, Emeh, and Ukah (2012) define entrepreneurship beyond "starting a business." It helps people find opportunities, manage resources, and produce value. Value is typically created by identifying unmet requirements or changing possibilities. Entrepreneurship provides youths with a sense of ownership and engagement in economic activities and leverages their and their towns' economic potential. Entrepreneurship and skills acquisition are the best ways for youths to drive change and economic prosperity. Promoting young entrepreneurship has benefits beyond job creation. Entrepreneurship solves socio-psychological issues and crime caused by unemployment. Entrepreneurship reintegrates neglected and disenfranchised youths into their cities' economic mainstream, giving them a feeling of purpose, self-worth, and belonging. Youth unemployment, especially in metropolitan Nigeria, is one of the biggest security and development issues today, resulting in underemployment, inequality, marginalization, crime, and violence. Thus, efforts to harness young ingenuity and dynamism to boost economic growth and employment are needed. The bulge may be a demographic asset. Government Intervention in Skills Acquisition Gaining Skills Training is an adult education program that teaches skills and tackles current challenges. Examples include jobs, independence, and youth restlessness. Youth survival via self-reliance is the goal of government skills development programs. The government initially empowered youth through agricultural production, but it later expanded to agricultural, industrial, and handcrafts production to generate cash and make them viable. Donli (2004) lists the following skills acquisition programs instituted in Nigeria over the years, including: The green revolution programme which was in response to the programme of operation feed the nation 1976. The Ogbonaya crush Programme of the 1980s. The school-to-land programme and skill acquisition programme of 1978. The youth employment and vocational skill development scheme of (NDE) in 1986. The small-scale industrial and graduate farmers programme of NDE in 1988. The National Open Apprenticeship Scheme of NDE in 1988 National Directorate of Employment program is a major government skill acquisition effort. The NDE was founded in 1986 and debuted in 1987 to address rising unemployment in Nigeria. The National Directorate of Employment creates job creation programs to change attitudes, boost employment, alleviate poverty, and enhance wealth. To fulfill its mandate of job creation, the NDE created several vocational, technical, agricultural and Business skills acquisition programs and established Skills Acquisition Centres as measures to combat poverty and create jobs. The NDE, since inception, has empowered unemployed Nigerians in various vocational, technical, agricultural skills training and entrepreneurial development. The NDE in fulfillment of its mandate has launched several skills acquisition programmes under its programme; Vocational Skills Development (VSD): The NDE offers programs in vocational and technical skills training under its schemes like the National Open Apprenticeship Scheme, where unemployed school graduates learn marketable skills from informal sector operators for better job prospects. The program targets unemployed, unskilled Nigerian youths. Under the Small Scale Enterprises program, the NDE offers business training and credit schemes to unemployed Nigerian graduates, including women, through Basic Business Training and Income Generation Skills Training. Special Public Works: The Graduate Attachment Program connects graduates from tertiary institutions to government and private organizations for a one-year period, providing valuable skills and experience for job opportunities. The initiative also offers unskilled and unemployed labor-based training in renewable energy, environmental beautification, etc. Rural Agricultural Programme: This initiative capitalizes on agricultural sector prospects for job and income generation. This initiative has taught unemployed youngsters current agricultural skills like crop cultivation, processing, animal management, and more. (NDE, 2017 Annual Report). The NDE has over 80 Skills sets under its schemes and programmes including; Bead making, tailoring and fashion design, hat making, soap making, make-up, beauty care and cosmetology, air conditioning and refrigerator repairs, carpentry, mechanic, welding, solar energy installation and maintenance, environmental beautification, tiling and interlocking, plumbing, GSM repairs, computer operation and engineering, web design, livestock farming (cattle rearing, pig farming, sheep and goat rearing, poultry production and fish farming) etc. According to its reports, the NDE through its skills trained 312,155 unemployed youths in various skills acquisition and empowerment programmes in 2019, this figure is a step up from the 200,179 unemployed persons trained in 2018 and the 123, 647 unemployed persons trained and empowered in 2017. Another intervention of the Government is the one-year NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program, which teaches and mentors 100,000 young graduates in self-reliance. Despite these efforts, unemployment continues to increase. Due to the high number of Nigerian tertiary graduates, the lack of white collar jobs, the impact of Covid-19 and the poor economic recession have also affected economic activity, leaving many unemployed. Skills acquisition will help Nigerians start enterprises and reduce unemployment. Conclusion Nigerian youngsters face everyday problems with the near-disappearance of white-collar jobs, rising unemployment, underemployment, and the rising number of youths graduating from various educational institutions. Unemployment is a national security problem because it may recruit numerous youths into oil theft syndicates, armed robbers, kidnappers, militants, and insurgents. Unemployment among young individuals in disadvantaged urban communities is linked to expressive and acquisitive offenses including vandalism, small crimes, and more severe crimes like burglary and robbery. An intervention strategy is needed to balance employment demand and supply. Skills acquisition has shown to be a cure for national security and a definite guarantee for sustained development, especially for youths, who are the largest force in Nigeria facing a job drought. Skill acquisition programs will enable Nigerian youth secure jobs, reduce crime, and boost investment. Skill matters to everyone. Technicians earn more than university graduates because they learn more technical skills than theoretical ones. Lack of ability in a field keeps graduates and youths employed. Skills acquisition has been shown to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger by creating jobs and wealth that promote self-reliance, self-sufficiency, economic growth, and national security. Recommendations Following these assertions, the study makes the following recommendations: Skill acquisition training should be embedded in school curriculums both at secondary and tertiary levels and made paramount in the Educational sector. This should be enforced as a law in Nigeria’s education so that students at all level would acquire choice skills needed for job creation. Government at the 3 levels (Federal, State and Local), including the private sector should invest heavily on skills acquisition training for Nigerians as means of promoting empowerment, self-reliance and job creation. Skills acquisition centres should be established in the 36 States of the federation including in the grass roots areas and made accessible to youths. Establishing this centres and schemes in the grassroots will encourage youth participation in skills training and empowerment for job opportunities. References Acemoglu, D. & Autor, D. (2011). Lectures in Labor Economics. 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Retrieved from:https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/07/13/skills-acquisition-panacea-for-unemployment BIOGRAPHY Comrade AUDU PAUL AKOGWU, holds a PhD in Security and Strategic studies from Nasarawa State University Keffi. He is a Management staff of National Directorate of Employment and the current Chairman Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, (TUC) FCT Council. A researcher, writer, reader and public speaker. AND ONYEDINEFU MABEL CHIOMA, holds an MSc and PhD in International Relations both from the Abuja University. She is a Research Officer with the National Directorate of Employment. She is a seasoned writer, researcher and public speaker.