THE IMPACT OF UNEMPLOYMENT ON YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN BOKKOS LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE

The problem of unemployment in Nigeria is a significant and long-lasting difficulty that negatively impacts individuals, communities, and the overall economy. Nigeria possesses abundant natural resources and has a growing population of young people. However, the country faces significant challenges in terms of high unemployment rates, especially among its youth. One major factor contributing to the high unemployment rate is the difference between the skills that workers have and the skills that employers are looking for. A significant proportion of young Nigerians complete their education with qualifications that do not match the criteria of employers, leading to a mismatch between the supply of certain abilities and the demand for others. The existence of a skills gap worsens the problem of underemployment and unemployment, as individuals face difficulties in finding appropriate career prospects. The issue of unemployment in Nigeria continues to pose a substantial and enduring obstacle, carrying extensive consequences for individuals, communities, and the broader economy (Akan, Akpanke, Egbo, Amaechi, Owoseni, & Oriabure, 2022). Despite Nigeria's abundance of natural resources and vast population of young people, the country nevertheless faces significant challenges in terms of high unemployment rates, especially among its youth. A major factor contributing to unemployment in Nigeria is the discrepancy between the skill set of the workers and the requirements of the job market. A significant number of young Nigerians complete their education with credentials that do not correspond to the requirements of employers, resulting in an imbalance between the availability of certain abilities and the demand for others. The existence of this skills gap exacerbates the problem of underemployment and unemployment, as individuals face difficulties in securing appropriate job prospects. The sluggish rate of economic expansion and lack of diversification are further factors intensifying the issue of unemployment in Nigeria. The Nigerian economy has historically relied heavily on the exportation of oil, making it susceptible to variations in global oil prices (Uchechukwu et al., 2023). Furthermore, the prevalence of the informal sector, which is characterized by small-scale enterprises and subsistence farming, hinders the establishment of formal job prospects. The lack of economic diversification and the failure to foster sustainable enterprises have impeded efforts to create jobs, especially in sectors unrelated to oil. Moreover, Nigeria's employment development has been hindered by structural obstacles such as insufficient infrastructure, bureaucratic inefficiency, and inconsistent government policies. Inadequate transportation infrastructure, inconsistent electricity grid, and restricted financial accessibility hinder corporate expansion and discourage investment, hence hampering job creation efforts. In addition, the intricate regulatory framework and pervasive corruption in government institutions pose obstacles to entrepreneurship and discourage foreign investment, hence limiting employment prospects. The ramifications of elevated unemployment in Nigeria are significant and diverse. In addition to its economic consequences such as decreased productivity, income disparity, and poverty, unemployment also contributes to social discontent and weakens political stability. High rates of unemployment among young people have been associated with societal problems such as criminal activity, substance misuse, and radical political beliefs, as disillusioned youths search for alternate ways to support themselves and express their frustrations.