Youth’s Unemployment and Cybercrime in Nigeria

Abstract

The study explored the relationship between youth unemployment and cybercrime in Nigeria, emphasizing how unemployment drives young people towards cybercrime and its detrimental impact on societal peace and stability. It argued that unemployment fuels youth involvement in various crimes, particularly cybercrime, which negatively affects the socio-economic development of the nation. The rise in cybercrime has led to increased cyber insecurity, damaged Nigeria’s international reputation, eroded trust in the country, posed significant threats to national security, and disrupted economic transactions, resulting in the loss of lives and property. Utilizing the Strain Theory, the study explained how societal expectations, coupled with limited legal means to achieve them, often drive individuals toward criminal behavior. The gap between societal aspirations and accessible opportunities can push individuals to adopt illegitimate methods to reach their goals. Based on secondary data, the study identified key factors contributing to youth unemployment and the rise in cybercrime, as well as their adverse effects on national peace and stability. The study recommended that the Nigerian government adopt pragmatic measures, including job creation, enhancement of social amenities in both rural and urban areas, and the enactment and enforcement of stricter cybercrime laws.