By Josephine Sesay

Each year, countless young people graduate from universities, ready to take on the world. Armed with diplomas, degrees, and high hopes for a brighter future. Yet, despite their qualifications, many find themselves stuck in a harsh reality, no job opportunities, no connections, and no way to break into the workforce. For many young people, this has created a grim future, where their potential is stifled, and hope is all but lost Instead, a growing number of youths are succumbing to despair, turning to destructive coping mechanisms, from substance abuse to petty crime. In many countries, youth unemployment is not just a statistic; it’s a crisis that threatens the future of entire nation.

This is a crisis that goes beyond the disappointment of jobless graduates. It is a crisis of national consequence. Youth unemployment is not simply an economic issue. it’s a societal one that affects the very fabric of the country. When young people are shut out of the workforce, their dreams are extinguished. Worse still, the pain of their unfulfilled potential manifests in destructive behaviours, from substance abuse to crime. The rise in drug use, particularly substances like “Kush,” has reached alarming levels among youth, not as a sign of rebellion, but as an escape from the crushing weight of hopelessness.

Governments boast about economic growth, but the truth is, these advancements rarely trickle down to young people. A lack of job creation, poor access to capital for young entrepreneurs, But the consequences go beyond individual frustration. A nation without opportunities for its youth is a nation doomed to stagnate. Youth are the backbone of any society, the ones who will eventually lead, innovate, and drive progress. When they are marginalized, left to languish in unemployment, the entire nation suffers. The talents and potential of a generation are wasted, and the future of the country is placed at risk

This isn’t just an individual issue. It’s a national crisis. Every country that fails to provide its youth with opportunities is sowing the seeds for its own decline. Young people are the future of any nation. They are the innovators, the dreamers, the entrepreneurs, and the leaders. Yet, when their talents are left untapped, or worse, stifled by a lack of opportunity, the nation risks stagnation and decay. If today’s youth cannot access meaningful work, how can they be expected to contribute to the growth and prosperity of tomorrow’s economy?

The long-term effects are devastating. The absence of jobs leads to a loss of ambition and purpose. Desperation breeds unhealthy coping mechanisms, and in many cases, those coping mechanisms spiral into dangerous, self-destructive behaviour. The widespread abuse of drugs like “Kush” is a direct consequence of this failed system a substance that offers a temporary escape from the bleak realities many young people face, only to drag them deeper into the cycle of despair.

But the problem isn’t just economic; it’s also social. When young people are excluded from the workforce, they become disconnected from society. Alienation sets in, leading to increased levels of crime, civil unrest, and social instability. Young people, with nothing to lose, can easily be drawn into radical ideologies or violent movements. A frustrated, disillusioned youth is a powder keg waiting to explode.

What is the solution? It’s simple: the youth must be at the centre of any nation’s development agenda. Governments must stop paying lip service to job creation and take meaningful action. This means more than just creating low-wage, exploitative positions that fail to lift people out of poverty. We need to create high-quality jobs that provide young people with career pathways, not just stopgap solutions. It means making education more aligned with the job market, ensuring that the skills young people learn are relevant and in demand. It means investing in apprenticeships, internships, and mentorship programs that give young people hands-on experience and access to professional networks.

Moreover, creating a supportive environment for youth entrepreneurship is critical. Governments should provide young people with the tools and resources they need to start their own businesses, access capital, and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. In a world where jobs are scarce, entrepreneurship can provide young people with an alternative route to financial independence and contribute to economic growth.

This is not just about providing jobs; it’s about securing the future of the nation. The youth are not just the future they are the present. To achieve true development, nations must invest in their youth not just as a labour force but as the leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow. If we continue to ignore their struggles, we risk watching a generation wither away in frustration and despair. we are not just failing the youth; we are failing the future of our nations. But if we invest in them, nurture their potential, and open doors for them, we stand to gain the energy, creativity, and drive that can propel nations forward into a new age of prosperity and innovation.