A new report by Plan International Nigeria, an independent humanitarian non-profit, has revealed alarming statistics about the state of youth in Nigeria, stating that nearly 80 million young Nigerians are currently unemployed, while over 1,500 schools have been forced to shut down in the past two years due to growing insecurity.

The report, titled “State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025,” was unveiled during the Nigerian Youth Dialogue held in Abuja to mark International Youth Day and was presented by Jonathan Abakpa, Advocacy and Youth Programme Officer at Plan International Nigeria.

The event was organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Youth in Parliament.

The report paints a grim picture of wasted potential in a nation where over 60 percent of the population is under the age of 30.

“This is more than a statistic; it reflects shattered dreams and wasted talent,” Abakpa said.

“The desperation among young people is fueling irregular migration, cybercrime, and other dangerous coping strategies.”

According to the report, insecurity and systemic failures are crippling Nigeria’s development.

1.7 million graduates leave tertiary institutions annually with little or no job opportunities.

Over 1 million children are currently out of school due to school closures.

More than 600,000 people have been killed and 2.2 million kidnapped in recent years, a significant number of them young people.

77,000 lives have been lost to tribal conflicts in the last five years.

2.6 million people, mostly from farming communities, have been displaced due to violence.

With farmers unable to access their land, UNICEF estimates that 25 million Nigerians are at risk of hunger.

Over 82.9 million Nigerians (40.1% of the population) currently live below the poverty line.

“Education, which should be a ladder of opportunity, has been violently taken away from millions of children,” Abakpa stated.

The report warns that without deliberate and urgent intervention, Nigeria risks alienating an entire generation.

It calls for scaled-up job creation initiatives, vocational training and entrepreneurship programmes that are linked to real industry needs, stronger support for innovation and youth-led enterprises.

Despite the dire statistics, the report also emphasizes that Nigerian youth are not just victims, they are innovators, entrepreneurs, and agents of change and deserve targeted support to unleash their potential.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Ayodeji Alao-Akala, Chairman of the House Committee on Youth in Parliament, reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to improving the lives of young Nigerians.

“As a country, we cannot afford to ignore the aspirations of our youth,” Alao-Akala said.

“They are the future of Nigeria, and our responsibility as lawmakers is to create an enabling environment for them to thrive.”

He noted that several bills and motions have already been passed in Parliament aimed at supporting youth development and national progress.

The “State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025” serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for urgent, coordinated efforts by the government, private sector and development partners to reverse the decline and unlock Nigeria’s demographic dividend.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has applauded the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for its proactive efforts in reforming inmates through talent discovery and skill-building initiatives, aimed at making them productive members of society upon release.

The governor gave the commendation on Wednesday while flagging off the final match of the month-long Inter-Hostel Football Competition held at the Enugu Custodial Centre.

Represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Emeka Ajogwu, Governor Mbah expressed satisfaction with the discipline, hygiene, and reformation programmes being implemented within the custodial facilities across the state.

“The Enugu State Government will continue to support the Nigerian Correctional Service in its mission to transform lives. We want inmates to understand that this process is about love, rehabilitation, and reintegration, not punishment,” he said.

He further praised the NCoS for using sports, especially football, as a positive channel for engaging inmates, discovering talent, and boosting morale.

“This football competition is a step in the right direction. It provides a platform to harness and nurture hidden talents within the correctional facilities,” Mbah added.

Speaking at the event, the Controller-General of NCoS, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche, reiterated the Service’s commitment to inmate transformation through engaging activities.

Represented by the Zonal Coordinator for Zone M, Mrs. Prisca Oku, the C-G emphasized the importance of providing platforms for skill and talent development.

“We are focused on productive engagements that equip inmates with skills and confidence to reintegrate successfully into society. Football is one of the tools we are using to unlock potential and inspire a new path for these individuals,” Nwakuche noted.

The Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, Mr. Valins Obizue, thanked the Controller-General for endorsing and supporting the football competition, which he described as a valuable initiative for discovering new sporting talent.

“We hope to see some of these players representing the state or even the country someday. This is why we urge government bodies, corporate sponsors, and philanthropists to continue supporting our reformation programmes,” Obizue said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Controller of Corrections, Enugu Custodial Centre, Mr. Sunday Igwe, expressed appreciation to Rangers International FC for donating branded jerseys to the finalist teams.

“We are proud of what we witnessed today. Football has brought unity and motivation to these inmates, and I’m confident that some of the talents discovered today could go on to join professional clubs,” he added.

In a tightly contested final, Team IDR edged out Team Asylum with a 1-0 victory. M Ward Team secured third place following a series of round-robin matches involving eight hostel teams over the past month.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the deaths of 10 persons in two multiple accidents involving seven vehicles along the Ozalla axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

The Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr. Franklin Agbakoba, disclosed the details during a press briefing in Enugu on Thursday, describing the incidents as tragic and avoidable.

According to Agbakoba, the two separate accidents occurred on Wednesday at about 9:30 am and 3:45 pm respectively, within the Police Estate and Toll Gate areas of Ozalla.

“As usual, our personnel from the FRSC Ozalla Unit responded swiftly, rescuing over 30 individuals. Some of the victims with serious injuries were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention,” he said.

The first crash involved a trailer, two buses, and a car, affecting 34 people, 22 males, 11 females and one child.

Nine fatalities occurred at the scene, with another victim dying later in the hospital.

10 injuries were recorded (1 male, 9 females).

19 males were rescued unhurt.

The second crash, which occurred later in the afternoon, involved two trailers and a tricycle, with six male victims:

One fatality, one injury, and one male rescued unhurt.

In total, 40 people were involved in both crashes, 10 fatalities, 11 injuries and 20 males rescued without injuries.

Agbakoba attributed the accidents to basic Road Traffic Violations (RTVs), particularly driving against traffic, a dangerous and recurring issue along that axis.

“The Ozalla axis has been notorious for motorists violating traffic rules, especially by taking the wrong lane. Our unit at Ozalla has been consistent in enforcing traffic laws and conducting road safety education in the area,” he stated.

He revealed that three drivers were recently apprehended in August for such violations at the same accident-prone zone.

The Sector Commander appealed for the installation of caution signs in the affected areas, especially since road construction is ongoing along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

“We urge road users to exercise patience and drive with caution in construction zones. A little patience can save lives,” he added.

Over 1,600 buildings in the Agu Awka area of Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, have been saved from flood disasters following the reconstruction of a critical 15-kilometre road by the state government.

For the past three years, the Book Foundation–UNIZIK–Immigration Road had become a death trap and a major source of hardship for residents and commuters, often leading to the submergence of homes and businesses during the rainy season.

The poor state of the road had forced many residents to relocate from Agu Awka to other parts of the Awka Capital Territory, due to repeated flooding and road inaccessibility.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Secretary of Awka South LGA, Mr. Peter Nosike Uyanwune, who represented the council chairman, Prince Chinedu Okafor, expressed gratitude to the governor for fulfilling his promise:

“I am overwhelmed with joy. We are not surprised because Mr. Governor always keeps his word, and this is another proof. During the rainy season, this road used to be completely flooded, and hundreds of buildings would be submerged. Thanks to this reconstruction, those buildings and lives have been saved.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of APGA Ward 8, Chief Nathan Obikwelu, who officially commissioned the project, described the road as the area’s “sick baby.”

“This road had become impassable, especially for commercial tricycle riders and motorists. It’s even more significant because this ward is home to the Governor, the Deputy Governor, and many political appointees. The MD of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Chief Ossy Onuko, advocated for us, and today, we are seeing the results. The entire community is celebrating,” he said.

The Chairman of the Okada Riders Association, Mr. Mohammed Audu, shared his relief at the development:

“I’ve been in Awka for 25 years, and this road has always been a nightmare especially for Okada and Keke operators. Every trip meant a visit to the mechanic or panel beater. That’s money gone. But now, thanks to Governor Soludo, all that is behind us.”

The Councilor representing Agu Awka Ward 8, Mr. Olisa Nwabunia, described the commissioning as a “dream come true,” and reaffirmed his commitment to mobilizing support for the government in upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chairperson of Ward 8, Mrs. Onyeka Uchegbu, urged the government to construct speed bumps along the newly completed road to prevent damage by heavy-duty vehicles and ensure its longevity.

The Agunechemba Security Squad in Anambra State has denied allegations that it is targeting individuals believed to be loyal to Simon Ekpa, a separatist figure currently in detention.

In a statement issued by the outfit’s spokesperson, Nweke Nweke, Agunechemba clarified that it is not involved in any form of manhunt and has never collaborated with any group or agency to target Ekpa’s supporters.

“Agunechemba’s mission is to assist established security agencies in maintaining peace, law, and order across the state,” Nweke said.

The security outfit operates across the 179 communities in Anambra and maintains a close working relationship with state and federal security agencies.

According to Nweke, their mandate is rooted in community policing and is not influenced by court rulings or political affiliations.

“Our activities are not related to any court ruling against anyone. We adhere to a strict code of conduct that prohibits targeting individuals or groups based on judicial outcomes,” he added.

Nweke acknowledged the role of youth-led initiatives in identifying criminal elements within communities but cautioned them against falsely accusing innocent individuals or implicating Agunechemba in their actions.

“Community policing is everyone’s responsibility. If the youth are eager to identify wrongdoers in their areas, they should do so through proper channels and seek support from both the state government and recognized law enforcement agencies,” he said.

“They should not drag Agunechemba into their private arrangements.”

He reiterated that the group is not targeting any specific demographic, stressing that its objective remains the restoration of peace and the enforcement of law and order across the state.

“We are not aiming at any specific group. Our focus is independent of any judicial verdicts,” Nweke concluded.