AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SOCIO ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF GRADUATE UNEMPLOYMENT IN URBAN CENTRES (A CASE STUDY OF LOKOJA, KOGI STATE).

Unemployment in Nigeria Urban Centres has reached an alarming proportion. This study therefore investigated the socio-economic effects of graduate unemployment in urban centres using Kogi State as a case study. It examined the socio-economic effects of graduation unemployment both on the individual and the society in general. With the view to finding solution to graduate unemployment which will be useful to both government and non- governmental organizations. The data for the study was collected through the questionnaire method; the research also interviewed a few highly placed and widely experienced.individuals whose valuable contributions enabled the researcher to grasp the tropical development of graduate unemployment in Nigeria since independence. These findings indicated that unemployment is distasteful experience to the individual unemployed as well as a social problem to the society in general. There are also some economic costs of mass unemployment which include low productivity in the economy. It is not only a psychological blow to remain • unemployed over a prolonged period but it may render the individual financially incapable to maintain him or herself and plan for the future. In view of these, it was recommended that efforts should be harmonized in order to enhance political stability in the country, corrupt leadership should be discouraged and replaced with good and incorrupt governance both at the local and national levels and there should be programme of urban rehabilitation and retraining of the employed.