Nigeria Must Create 27 Million Jobs by 2030 To Avert Crisis – NESG Warns

By FIDELUS ZWANSON

NIGERIA needs to generate at least 27 million new formal jobs by 2030 to prevent an escalating unemployment crisis as its working-age population grows to 168 million, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has cautioned.

In its new report, “From Hustle to Decent Work: Unlocking Jobs and Productivity for Economic Transformation in Nigeria,” the NESG warned that without bold reforms, unemployment and underemployment could double by the end of the decade.

The group identified weak private sector growth, poor skill development, low-quality education, and structural bottlenecks as key obstacles to job creation.

To tackle the challenge, NESG proposed the Nigeria Works Framework — a plan focused on skills training, SME support, and expansion in manufacturing, ICT, and construction.

NESG leaders urged swift collaboration between government and the private sector to turn economic growth into “decent, productive work” for millions of Nigerians.