Employment and Unemployment – Basic 6 Social Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Employment is having paid work, while unemployment is the situation where people who are able and willing to work cannot find jobs.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Define employment and unemployment.
2. Name the types of employment and the types of unemployment.
3. State the causes and problems of unemployment in Nigeria.
4. Suggest ways of reducing unemployment.
5. Describe what students can do now to avoid unemployment later.

What is employment?

Employment is having paid work, that is, being engaged in economic activity for a wage or salary.

What are the types of employment?

There are four types of employment: full-time, part-time, self-employment and contract (temporary) employment.

Full-time employment

• Hours: regular hours, about 8 hours a day for 5 to 6 days a week.
• Job security: usually a permanent position.
• Benefits: benefits are included.

Part-time employment

• Hours: fewer working hours.
• Schedule: flexible.
• Benefits: usually none.

Self-employment

• Boss: you work for yourself and have no employer.
• Business: you own the business, for example a tailor or a trader.

Contract or temporary employment

• Period: work for a fixed time.
• Task: often based on one project.
• End: the job ends when the contract ends.

What is unemployment?

Unemployment is the situation where people who are able and willing to work cannot find jobs.

What are the types of unemployment?

There are four types of unemployment: voluntary, involuntary, seasonal and structural.

Voluntary unemployment

• Meaning: a person chooses not to work for now.
• Examples: waiting for a better job or studying full-time.

Involuntary unemployment

• Meaning: a person wants to work but cannot find a job.
• Link: it is an economic problem.

Seasonal unemployment

• Meaning: jobs exist only at certain times of the year.
• Example: farm workers are busy at planting and harvest time only.

Structural unemployment

• Meaning: workers’ skills do not match the jobs available.
• Causes: changes in industry, or technology replacing workers.

What are the causes of unemployment in Nigeria?

The main causes of unemployment in Nigeria are listed below.

• Rapid population growth: more young people look for work than the jobs created.
• Poor education system: many graduates lack practical skills or study courses with few jobs.
• Lack of industries: few factories, closing businesses and foreign goods that weaken local industries.
• Corruption: jobs are sold or given to relatives (nepotism), so merit is ignored and qualified people are rejected.
• Economic recession: the economy stops growing, businesses close, companies retrench workers and new investment stops.
• Automation and technology: machines replace people, for example ATMs for bank tellers, online services and factory robots.
• Rural-urban migration: people leave farming for the cities, where there are too few jobs.
• Poor infrastructure: no electricity and bad roads stop businesses from working and discourage investors.
• Insecurity: Boko Haram in the North East, kidnapping and banditry close businesses and drive investors away.
• Lack of entrepreneurship: many want white-collar jobs, and few start businesses because of fear of failure and lack of capital.

What are the problems of unemployment?

Unemployment causes social, economic and personal problems for individuals, families and the nation.

• Poverty: no income, so people cannot meet basic needs and families suffer.
• Crime: stealing, armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom and internet fraud (“Yahoo yahoo”).
• Drug trafficking and abuse: some youths sell or use drugs, which leads to addiction and health problems.
• Begging: street begging increases, and people lose their dignity.
• Prostitution: some people sell sex to survive, which brings health risks and moral decay.
• Social unrest: protests, riots and violence cause instability and insecurity.
• Brain drain: qualified people leave Nigeria to seek jobs abroad, a trend called “Japa”.
• Depression: hopelessness and frustration cause mental health problems and, sadly, sometimes loss of life.
• Low standard of living: poor housing, malnutrition and no money for healthcare.
• Family breakdown: people cannot marry or support a family, which brings stress, divorce and child neglect.

What are the solutions to unemployment?

Unemployment can be reduced by creating jobs, improving skills and making it easier to do business.

• Quality education: teach practical skills, vocational and entrepreneurship education, and offer internships.
• Industrialisation: build more factories and support local industries to create jobs.
• Agricultural development: make farming attractive through mechanised farming, agribusiness and food processing industries.
• Entrepreneurship support: small business loans, training programmes and business development centres for youths.
• Infrastructure development: steady electricity, good roads and internet access attract investment.
• Security improvement: fight terrorism and kidnapping to give investors confidence.
• Fighting corruption: employ by merit, use open processes and punish corrupt officials.
• Skill acquisition: learn trades such as tailoring and carpentry, computer skills and technical skills through apprenticeships.
• Government policies: job creation programmes such as N-Power, and public works.
• Foreign investment: attract international companies with a friendly business climate and tax incentives.
• Diversification: do not depend only on oil, and develop tourism, technology and mining.
• Self-employment: start a small business with your own skills instead of waiting for the government.

What can students do to avoid unemployment?

Students can prepare early by gaining skills, saving money and building a positive attitude.

1. Study hard.
2. Learn practical skills.
3. Develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
4. Save money.
5. Network and build good connections.
6. Be flexible and adaptable.
7. Learn technology.
8. Consider self-employment.
9. Develop more than one skill.
10. Stay positive and keep trying.

Evaluation

1. Define employment and unemployment.
2. List five causes of unemployment in Nigeria.
3. State three problems of unemployment.
4. Suggest five solutions to unemployment.
5. How can students prepare to avoid unemployment?

Multiple choice questions

1. Unemployment means ________
   • a) Having a job
   • b) Unable to find work
   • c) Being rich
   • d) Being lazy
2. A cause of unemployment is ________
   • a) Too many jobs
   • b) Poor education system
   • c) Everyone working
   • d) Good economy
3. Unemployment can lead to ________
   • a) Wealth
   • b) Crime and poverty
   • c) Happiness
   • d) Success
4. A solution to unemployment is ________
   • a) Doing nothing
   • b) Skill acquisition and entrepreneurship
   • c) More corruption
   • d) Closing businesses
5. “Japa” refers to ________
   • a) Staying in Nigeria
   • b) Nigerians leaving for abroad
   • c) Getting jobs
   • d) Being happy

Answers: 1.b 2.b 3.b 4.b 5.b

Assignment

Explain six causes of unemployment in Nigeria and suggest one solution for each cause.