The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has attributed the growing wave of militancy, kidnapping, and other social vices across the country to the deepening unemployment crisis.
Speaking at the launch of the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) in Abuja on Tuesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero urged both federal and state governments to prioritise the creation of sustainable, long-term jobs over casual employment.
He stressed that meaningful employment remains the most effective strategy for curbing social unrest, noting that individuals with gainful engagement are less likely to resort to crime or other anti-social behaviour.
“The NLC supports any initiative that promotes employment and economic inclusion,” Ajaero said. “It is through sustainable jobs, not tokenism or casual contracts, that we can address the root causes of insecurity and restore dignity to citizens.”
Also speaking at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to tackling unemployment through capacity building and economic innovation.
According to Shettima, the LEEP initiative is designed to “expand employment opportunities, equip Nigerians with critical skills, and drive economic empowerment through innovation and technology.”
He added that the government is actively investing in up-skilling and re-skilling Nigerians to meet the demands of both current and future job markets.
