The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has lamented over the level of unemployment and underemployment amongst youths who are ready to work.
Speaking at a Job Fair in Abuja, the minister disclosed that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was working towards reducing the unemployment rate in the country.
Ngige said the Buhari-led government had established several job creation program with the aim of reducing the alarming unemployment rate in the country.
He said: “This event is as a result of the cordial and fruitful working relationship between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Federal Republic of Germany. I am also happy that this event aligns with the cardinal aspirations of this administration of Muhammadu Buhari. The aspiration aims at decreasing youth unemployment creating decent job opportunities for our teeming youths.
“Let me look at the statistics, the statistics, which are not very pleasant, Nigeria has a population of by projection, 200 million persons, out of this 200 million persons, above 20 per cent are unemployed, if you increase it, you can get up 25 to 30 per cent.
“These statistics are very worrisome, and the government today wants to place emphasis on job creation.
“The issue of youth unemployment is still a persisting scourge, which I believe all of us need to put our hands together and know what we can do. We thank the German government for their cooperation in this respect.”
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