SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN 21ST CENTURY: IMPLICATION FOR AKWA IBOM STATE

This study investigated the relationship between socio-economic development and job creation for the Nigerian youths in Akwa Ibom State in the 21st century. The objective of the study was to determine whether the following variables: foreign investments andindustrialization have facilitated meaningful job creation for the youths. Two null hypotheses based on the variables were formulated to guide the study. The population for the study comprised all unemployed youths in Akwa Ibom State and they numbered about 5000. A survey research method was used. The instrument used for the study was a questionnaire title “socio-economic development and job creation questionnaire” designed by the researcher to obtain information from the respondents. Pearson product moment correlation statistics wasused to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings from the study revealed that foreign investments and industrialization have failed to provide meaningful jobs tomajority of youths in Akwa Ibom State and credit facilities create jobs for the unemployed youths in Akwa Ibom State youths. Based on the findings conclusions were drawn, recommendations made and suggestions for further study offered.