POST COVID-19 INDUCED UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH LIFELONG LEARNING AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING SERVICES

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many countries to close down their economies, borders and even businesses, leading to rise in unemployment rates in most countries including Nigeria. The most affected population as regards unemployment in Nigeria are the youths. The pandemic left most of the unemployed at the brink of mental health issues, a trend that is highly dangerous to the state of the nation as a whole. Thus, this paper x-rays COVID-19 as it relates with unemployment generally; youth unemployment in COVID-19 era in Nigeria; risk posed by COVID-19 within Nigeria; brief overview of lifelong learning and Guidance and Counselling; lifelong learning, guidance, counselling and youth empowerment in emergency situations; counselling services and the empowerment of the Nigerian youth. Based on the discussions, several recommendations were given among which are that communities should endeavour to set up well equipped, staffed and funded professional counselling units with the intent of equipping youth with entrepreneurial skills required for them to create a means of livelihood for themselves and address other issues that emanated as a result of COVID-19.