Inside Sokoto: Youth Face Unemployment and Unmet Needs

By Asishana John 

Youths in Sokoto State have stated that they are frustrated by the lack of job opportunities and feel abandoned by the government. Many are turning to small businesses or manual work to make ends meet, but even then, finding consistent work remains a daily challenge.

Despite their efforts to create livelihoods, young people in Sokoto are expressing frustration that the government seems focused on providing jobs to older, more experienced individuals while leaving the youth behind.

Many of the state’s young people are graduates who, after applying for numerous jobs, find themselves rejected due to the common requirement of five to six years of experience, which many of them do not possess.

In Sokoto, as in many other regions, the youth represent the backbone of the community, eager and willing to work. Yet, they find themselves stuck in low-paying, unreliable jobs. The lack of governmental support leaves them to fend for themselves in a challenging economic environment.

While visiting different parts of Sokoto, The Lagos Voice correspondent spoke with young people who are trying to make a living. Some have been able to start small businesses with money from their parents, but others, without support from family, spend their days unemployed.

Kingsley Lawrence sells DSTV services and POS services on Maiduguri Road. He completed his national service in 2024 but has been unable to secure a job despite his qualifications in Business Administration. His frustration led him to start his own small business with help from his parents. He stated, “After finishing my service, I applied for jobs all over the state, but I did not get any. So, my parents helped me with money to start this business instead of just staying at home.”

He explained that he stayed at home for more than four months without work. He said, “I have a daughter, so waking up every day with nothing to do was hard. I applied for many jobs, but I did not get any.” Kingsley further explained that some employers asked for five years of experience, even though he had just finished his service. He concluded by saying, “The government is not doing anything to help us youths get jobs. They seem to focus on older people with 10 to 12 years of experience, leaving no opportunities for young people like us.”

Similarly, Kayode Agbaje, who lives in Mabera, learned tailoring but could not afford the necessary tools to start his own business. He tried to apply for a free sewing machine at the state’s tailoring workshop, but that did not work out. He said, “If the government could provide more jobs for youths like me, it would be easier for me to save money and buy a sewing machine and shop.” Kayode explained how hard it is to feed himself because his parents are no longer around, and as the first child, he is responsible for the family. He added, “It is not easy.”

Richard Uboh, another resident of Sokoto who takes passport photos near the bank, has been running his small business for four years after struggling to find a job. He said, “I thank God for the banks here, because without them, I would not know how to feed myself.” He explained that when people have issues with their bank accounts or need passports, they come to him outside the bank. Richard further explained, “Sometimes, when I leave my house in the morning and see other youths sitting outside doing nothing, I do not blame them. I know the government hasn’t created any jobs for us, and some of them do not have the money to start a business.”

For Okpe Jerry, a bricklayer, the issue is the unpredictable nature of his work. He said, “I sometimes go for months without a job. If the government could invest in more construction projects, we could have more work.”

Other individuals, like George Onapelumi, who graduated two years ago but remains unemployed, equally feel helpless. He expressed his displeasure by saying, “It hurts me to stay at home all day doing nothing when I know I can do better in a job. The government isn’t giving us youths a chance to work in their organisations. I applied to join the road safety corps and the police, but neither worked out because I did not complete my primary education in Sokoto State.” He concluded, “If the government could just help youths find jobs, I’m sure everyone would be happy to work. Staying at home doing nothing is really hard, especially when we know how capable the youths are when it comes to working.”

Even those who manage to secure jobs, like Temitope Stella, a hairstylist, struggle to survive. Stella tried to run a cake and snack shop but had to close it after months of low sales. Now working at a hair salon, she deals with irregular customer traffic and inconsistent income. She said, “My boss always tells me not to open the shop until 10:30 a.m. because customers will not come earlier, and there is often no light for washing and setting hair.”

Omotayo Oluwaseun, who works at a POS outlet while saving money for further education, echoed similar concerns. After finishing secondary school, she could not afford to continue her studies.

Omotayo said, “I live with my older sister, who has three children in primary school, and their school fees are high. My sister and her husband are focused on raising money for their children’s education, so they cannot help me with mine. That is why I am working instead of going to school.” She further explained that she applied to nursing school, but she was told to come back the following year because the institution had already accepted others who applied earlier.

Across Sokoto, young people are pleading for government intervention. With many qualified and eager to work, the absence of opportunities is a harsh reminder of the gap between government promises and the reality on the ground.