Nigerian Youths: New Trends in Human Security Challenges since the 21st Century

Abstract

Recently, human insecurity has been one of the most discussed issues in Nigeria. Every day if people are not killed or abducted by Boko Haram, they are killed by bandits or Fulani terrorists or gunmen of unclassifified group. Insecurity has been a bane to our development. It was not like this before the 21st century. There were armed robbery, assassinations but they were not as alarming as they are today. Kidnapping is a familiar concept but was not common in Nigeria, but in the Middle-East. Today, the trend of human insecurity has changed, its sophistication and the use of weapons too have taken a new colouration. Human insecurity has manifested itself through kidnapping, armed robberies, political assassinations, terrorism, ethnic and communal conflflicts and other forms of violence. These are organized crimes that are being facilitated by the youths. The paper major argument is that youths unemployment, poor or lack of youth empowerment, greed are the principal causes of insecurity. The paper proffers that arms should be controlled. Arms should always be allowed only to those authorized by law. Government at all levels should create jobs through building of labour intensive industries; provide energy (power) for small and medium enterprises to thrive; empower the youths to be self-employed and encourage them to be patriotic. Youths should have access to good and free education, access to free or affordable medical facilities. The paper uses historical analysis as its methodology.