Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria warned that youth unemployment is a ‘ticking time bomb’ leading to crime and radicalization. He urged the government to create job opportunities while condemning conditions in correctional centers. Urging reforms, he highlighted the link between economic instability, violence, and the urgent need for judicial reform.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) President Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji highlighted the urgent issue of youth unemployment in Nigeria during the First 2025 CBCN Plenary Assembly. He emphasized that the growing unemployment crisis poses significant risks, linking it to rising crime rates. The Archbishop characterized unemployment among youth as a ‘ticking time bomb’ that leads to vulnerability towards radicalization and gang recruitment.
He noted that the dire circumstances facing unemployed youths are driving them into a life marked by crime, including kidnappings, drug abuse, and cybercrime, particularly the practice referred to as ‘yahoo plus.’ Many youths are reportedly pursuing quick financial gains through illicit means rather than legitimate employment.
Ugorji expressed concern about the spiritual degradation among youths who are turning to pagan practices and idolatry as they seek instant wealth. He warned that without intervention, this disillusionment will perpetuate their involvement in dangerous activities and criminal organizations that directly threaten national security.
The Archbishop urged the government to prioritize the creation of job opportunities, stressing that failure to address youth unemployment will hinder efforts to combat insecurity and violence. He also discussed the alarming conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, which continue to fail to protect inmate rights despite prior reform initiatives.
Archbishop Ugorji criticized the unsanitary and overcrowded conditions of these centers, noting that many inmates, particularly those awaiting trial, endure harsh living standards due to prolonged detention. He pointed out the urgent need for legal system reforms to accelerate trial processes and uphold human dignity within correctional centers.
Expressing frustration over the current security crisis, the Archbishop remarked that economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu, while aimed at stabilization, have led to severe inflation and poverty. He highlighted the increased prevalence of violence against communities, stressing the urgent need for a comprehensive governmental response.
Calling for improved security measures, the CBCN President urged the government to integrate technology into policing efforts to enhance security operations. He concluded by advocating for full implementation of correctional reforms to uphold justice and human rights across Nigeria.
The remarks by Archbishop Ugorji underscore the critical challenges posed by youth unemployment and the inadequacies of Nigeria’s correctional system. Stressing the need for urgent government action, Ugorji’s statements call for job creation as a means to combat insecurity. His critique of prison conditions highlights the plight of inmates, advocating for reforms necessary to ensure human dignity and justice. Overall, the Archbishop’s views highlight an interconnected web of socioeconomic grievances that demand immediate and comprehensive responses from authorities.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
