REVITALIZING THE TRADITIONAL APPRENTICESHIP SYSTEM IN NIGERIA: A KEY TO UNLOCKING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT

Abstract

One of the major socio-economic issues facing Nigeria today is youth unemployment. This issue transcends all the societal strata, and has remained unabated despite the increase in the number of youths with formal education. The high level of unemployed youths in Nigeria has resulted in young Nigerians engaging in unorthodox livelihoods like drug addiction, armed robbery, and armed militancy while others engage in casual work which is highly irregular. This invariably portends a grave danger to the society. It is clear that formal education can no longer guarantee employment after school, and that something radical is needed to engage the teeming population and secure their future. Accordingly, this paper appraises how the traditional apprenticeship system can be revitalized to create employment for the youths in Nigeria. The paper employs doctrinal research methodology. The paper concludes by recommending an overhaul of the traditional apprenticeship system to bring it in line with modern realities.