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

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

1. Define employment and unemployment
2. Discuss causes of unemployment
3. Explain solutions to unemployment

Definition of employment

Employment: Having paid work; being engaged in economic activity for wages or salary.

Types of Employment:

1. Full-time Employment:

• Working regular hours (8 hours/day, 5-6 days/week)
• Permanent position
• Benefits included

2. Part-time Employment:

• Working fewer hours
• Flexible schedule
• Usually no benefits

3. Self-Employment:

• Working for yourself
• Own business
• No employer

4. Contract/Temporary:

• Fixed period work
• Project-based
• Ends after contract

Definition of unemployment

Unemployment: Situation where people who are able and willing to work cannot find jobs.

Types of Unemployment:

1. Voluntary Unemployment:

• Choose not to work
• Waiting for better job
• Pursuing education

2. Involuntary Unemployment:

• Want to work but can’t find jobs
• Most common type
• Economic problem

3. Seasonal Unemployment:

• Jobs available only certain times
• Example: Farming during planting/harvest

4. Structural Unemployment:

• Skills don’t match available jobs
• Industry changes
• Technology replaces workers

Causes of unemployment in Nigeria

1. RAPID POPULATION GROWTH:

• More people than jobs
• Youth population explosion
• Not enough job creation

2. POOR EDUCATION SYSTEM:

• Graduates lack practical skills
• Theory without practice
• Unemployable graduates
• Wrong courses studied

3. LACK OF INDUSTRIES:

• Few manufacturing companies
• Businesses closing
• Foreign goods flood market
• Local industries dying

4. CORRUPTION:

• Jobs sold to highest bidder
• Nepotism (hiring relatives)
• Merit ignored
• Qualified people rejected

5. ECONOMIC RECESSION:

• Economy not growing
• Businesses closing
• Companies retrenching
• No new investments

6. AUTOMATION/TECHNOLOGY:

• Machines replace humans
• ATMs replace bank tellers
• Online services reduce staff
• Robots in factories

7. RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION:

• Everyone wants city jobs
• Abandoning farming
• Too many in cities
• Not enough urban jobs

8. POOR INFRASTRUCTURE:

• No electricity
• Bad roads
• Businesses can’t operate
• Investments discouraged

9. INSECURITY:

• Boko Haram in Northeast
• Kidnapping
• Banditry
• Businesses close
• Investors flee

10. LACK OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP:

• Everyone wants white-collar jobs
• Few start businesses
• Fear of failure
• No capital

Problems of unemployment

1. POVERTY:

• No income
• Cannot meet basic needs
• Family suffering

2. CRIME:

• Stealing to survive
• Armed robbery
• Kidnapping for ransom
• Yahoo yahoo (internet fraud)

3. DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE:

• Youth turn to drugs
• Become drug dealers
• Addiction
• Health problems

4. BEGGING:

• Young people begging
• Street begging increases
• Loss of dignity
• Social problem

5. PROSTITUTION:

• Women turn to sex work
• Survival strategy
• Health risks
• Moral decay

6. SOCIAL UNREST:

• Protests and riots
• Violence
• Instability
• Insecurity

7. BRAIN DRAIN:

• Qualified people leave Nigeria
• Seeking jobs abroad
• Loss of talent
• “Japa” syndrome

8. DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE:

• Hopelessness
• Mental health issues
• Frustration
• Tragic outcomes

9. LOW STANDARD OF LIVING:

• Poor housing
• Malnutrition
• No healthcare
• General poverty

10. FAMILY BREAKDOWN:

• Cannot marry or support family
• Stress in homes
• Divorce
• Child neglect

Solutions to unemployment

1. QUALITY EDUCATION:

• Practical skills training
• Vocational education
• Entrepreneurship education
• Internship programs

2. INDUSTRIALIZATION:

• Build more factories
• Support local industries
• Manufacturing sector growth
• Create jobs

3. AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT:

• Make farming attractive
• Mechanized agriculture
• Agribusiness opportunities
• Food processing industries

4. ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUPPORT:

• Small business loans
• Training programs
• Business development centers
• Youth empowerment

5. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT:

• Electricity supply
• Good roads
• Internet access
• Attracts investment

6. SECURITY IMPROVEMENT:

• Fight terrorism
• Reduce kidnapping
• Safe environment
• Investor confidence

7. FIGHT CORRUPTION:

• Merit-based employment
• Transparent processes
• Punish corrupt officials
• Fair opportunities

8. SKILL ACQUISITION:

• Learn trades (tailoring, carpentry, etc.)
• Computer skills
• Technical training
• Apprenticeships

9. GOVERNMENT POLICIES:

• Job creation programs
• N-Power, NYSC programs
• Public works
• Economic stimulus

10. FOREIGN INVESTMENT:

• Attract international companies
• Create business-friendly environment
• Tax incentives
• Partnership opportunities

11. DIVERSIFICATION:

• Don’t depend only on oil
• Develop other sectors
• Tourism, technology, mining
• Multiple revenue sources

12. SELF-EMPLOYMENT:

• Start small businesses
• Don’t wait for government
• Use your skills
• Be creative

What students can do

Prepare for Future:

1. Study hard
2. Learn practical skills
3. Develop entrepreneurial mindset
4. Save money
5. Network and build connections
6. Be flexible and adaptable
7. Learn technology
8. Consider self-employment
9. Develop multiple skills
10. Stay positive and persistent

EVALUATION

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

Multiple choice questions

1. Unemployment means ________ 

1. a) Having a job
2. b) Unable to find work
3. c) Being rich
4. d) Being lazy

1. A cause of unemployment is ________ 

1. a) Too many jobs
2. b) Poor education system
3. c) Everyone working
4. d) Good economy

1. Unemployment can lead to ________ 

1. a) Wealth
2. b) Crime and poverty
3. c) Happiness
4. d) Success

1. A solution to unemployment is ________ 

1. a) Doing nothing
2. b) Skill acquisition and entrepreneurship
3. c) More corruption
4. d) Closing businesses

1. “Japa” refers to ________ 

1. a) Staying in Nigeria
2. b) Nigerians leaving for abroad
3. c) Getting jobs
4. d) Being happy

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

HOMEWORK

1. Define employment and unemployment with examples
2. Explain six causes of unemployment in Nigeria
3. Discuss five problems caused by unemployment
4. Suggest eight solutions to unemployment
5. What skills will you learn to avoid unemployment in future?