YOUTH RESTIVENESS IN A PLURAL RELIGIOUS SOCIETY: THE CASE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Youth restiveness has become a disturbing phenomenon in Nigeria and indeed in many developing countries of Africa. Spurred by bad governance, discrimination and marginalization, uneven distribution of resources, unemployment, and poor knowledge utilization by government, the youth have voiced their concerns through demonstrations, destruction of properties and thuggery. The rise of religious and ethnic gangs like Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram and the Niger Delta boys, have posed a more serious dimension to the problem, where abductions and murders have been commonplace. Incendiary statements from government officials and the political class, as well as instigative sermons from the cleric have only helped to aggravate an already fluid situation. The consequences of youth restiveness have been grave, manifested in economic, security and social dimensions. Youth restiveness can however, be handled if the right atmosphere is created. Consequently, the paper has suggested that right information on existing job vacancies, enactment of policies and programmes by government and political office holders, use of technical and vocational education for vocational knowledge and skill acquisition by religious bodies and NGOs, among others, will go a long way in tackling youth restiveness in Nigeria.