Youth Unemployment and Community Development: A Study of Selected Local Governments in Ebonyi State

Abstract

The study focused on youth unemployment and community development: a study of selected local government areas in Ebonyi State. The study was anchored on Human Capital Theory and descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population of study was 975, 538 resident of the selected local government areas while the sample size was 400 respondents determined from the total population of the study using Taro Yameni's formula. Simple random sampling technique was also employed while structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentage and frequency table while the hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tools. The findings of the study revealed that lack of employment opportunities among youths affect community participation community development activities and inadequate skill among youths affect local economic activities in selected Local Government Area in Ebonyi state. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the government, local government authorities and relevant stakeholders should create sustainable employment opportunities for youths through job-creation programmes, community-based enterprises, public works and entrepreneurship initiatives, in order to reduce unemployment, discourage youth migration and encourage greater participation in community development activities etc.