Abstract:
Unemployment is an issue that has bedeviled Nigeria for quite some time now. Unemployment has a negative
multiplier effect not only on the individual involved but on the society as well. Toward this end, this study is designed to
explore the problems and counselling needs of unemployed youths in Nigeria. A multi-staged sampling technique was
used to select 1,750 unemployed youths from the six geo-political zones of the country including Abuja, the Federal Capital
Territory. A research instrument titled “Problems and Counselling Needs of Unemployed Youths Questionnaire”
[PACNUYQ] was used to gather relevant data for the study. In each of the sampled states, research assistants, who were
acquainted with the nature and modalities of their assignment, were employed. Data collected was analysed through the
use of mean ratings, ranks and the t-test statistical method. Unemployed youths in Nigeria have problems in clusters of finance,
family- related, health–related and socio-psychological and their most counselling need is how to develop skills
that will make them to be marketable in the world of work. Implications of the findings and recommendations are discussed.
