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Nigeria’s Unemployment Rate Rises 18.8% as 15.9m Jobless

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By Dipo Olowookere

Data released on Friday morning by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that in the third quarter of 2017, the unemployment rate in Nigeria increased to 18.8 percent.

This was an increase from 16.2 percent recorded in the second quarter of this year, according to the stats office.

The NBS, in the report, noted that the number of people within the labour force who were unemployed increased from 13.6 million in the second quarter of the year to 15.9 million in the third quarter of same year, with more than two million people unemployed within the period.

This was attributed to the economic recession that saw the nation’s growth decelerate until September 2017 when Nigeria finally exited recession.

Also in the report, the country’s stats agency stated that the number of underemployed increased from 17.7 million in the second quarter to 18 million in period under review.

The report further said economically active or working age population (15–64 years of age) increased from 110.3 million in Q2 to 111.1 million in Q3 2017, while the labour force population increased from 83.9 million in second quarter to 85.1 million in Q3 2017.

The total number of people in full-time employment (at least 40 hours a week) declined from 52.7 million in Q2 2017 to 51.1 million in Q3 2017, it said, adding that total unemployment and underemployment combined increased from 37.2 percent in the previous quarter to 40.0 percent in Q3 2017.

During the quarter Q3 2017, 21.2 percent of women within the labour force (aged 15-64 and willing, able, and actively seeking work) were unemployed, compared to 16.5 percent of men within the same period.

The report also noted that underemployment was predominant in the rural areas as 26.9 percent of rural residents within the labour force in were underemployed compared to 9 percent of urban residents within the same period.

“An economic recession is consistent with an increase in unemployment as jobs are lost and new jobs creation is stalled,” the report said.

“A return to economic growth provides an impetus to employment. However, employment growth may lag, and unemployment rates worsen especially at the end of a recession and for many months after,” it added.

“Nigeria economic growth has been decelerating since Q2 2014 culminating in an economic recession in Q2 2016. The technical indicator of a recession is two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth as measured by a country gross domestic product (GDP).

“The economic recession was technically over in Q2 2017. However, several economic activities are still contracting or recovering sub optimally.

“The unemployment rate, induced by a recession, typically peaks about 15-18 months after the beginning of a recession or 4-8 months after the end of a recession before it returns to its pre- recession trend.

“This, in the case of Nigeria will be a peak in Q4 2017 which means we will only expect unemployment to return to its normal trend in 2018.

“The length of the lag depends on how deep and long the recession was. It also depends on how stable and fast the recovery is as well as on the economic sectors diving the recovery (labour or capital/technology intensive).

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

Jobs/Appointments

FCMB Fortifies Board With Appointment of LSETF Chair Adepeju Adebajo

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Adepeju Adebajo

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

In a bid to strengthen its board and support its transformation goals, FCMB Group Plc has appointed the chairman of the board of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mrs Adepeju Adebajo, as an independent non-executive director.

A statement signed by the company secretary, Mrs Olufunmilayo Adelabu, disclosed that the appointment has been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

She brings to the board over 30 years of experience across industry, renewable energy, agriculture, finance and consulting. She has worked with teams and clients in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, helping them grow and multiply impact.

Throughout her career, Mrs Adebajo has led teams through change and growth. She previously worked at Lafarge Africa Plc, and was once the chief executive of Mouka Limited, Lumos Nigeria, UTC Nigeria Plc and an Assistant General Manager at United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc. She is a Transformation Lead at Etex Group (Nigerite and Emenite Limited).

In 2025, she founded Climate Governance Initiative Nigeria, affiliated with the World Economic Forum (WEF) and serves on the World Economic Forum Council on Climate and Nature Governance (2025-2027).

Mrs Adebajo holds a Master’s and a BSc in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

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Oyo Nigeria Union of Teachers Elects Hassan Ajibola Fatai as Chairman

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Fatai Oyo NUT chairman

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has elected Mr Hassan Ajibola Fatai as its new chairman, replacing the outgoing Mr Raji Oladimeji Ismael.

He was chosen to lead affairs of the association in the next four years at the NUT Oyo State wing’s 8th quadrennial Delegates Conference in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday.

Mr Fatai, a teacher at Migrant Farmers Primary School, Igbo-Iroko Kishi, vowed to safeguard the integrity, dignity, and professionalism of the teaching profession in the state, also promising to work with all members and stakeholders to reposition the union to better serve the welfare of its members.

Other newly elected executive members included Adeleke Adesina as deputy chairman, Alonge Oluyemisi as 1st vice chairman, Morakinyo Oyebola as 2nd vice chairman, Badmus Abiona as 3rd vice chairman, Bello Folasade as 4th vice chairman, Titilolu Ibukunolu as treasurer, Dada Kabirat as 1st internal auditor, Akinjide Yusuf as 2nd auditor and Ajala Niyi as publicity secretary.

Also, Alao Femi was elected as social secretary, Areo Felicia as assistant social secretary, Mobolaji Ademola as state national representative and James Ruth as Editor.

Speaking at the conference, the National President of NUT, Mr Titus Audu Amba, who was represented by the National Social Secretary, Ms Titi Ade Adebanjo, stated that the union was founded on democratic principles and the philosophy of labour unions.

According to him, in line with this, the union at the national, state and local levels conducts elections to usher in new executives at the end of every stipulated tenure.

He reiterated the group’s commitment to continue pursuing better welfare and improved conditions for teaching and learning in Nigeria.

On his part, Mr Ismael outlined major achievements recorded between 2022 and 2026, highlighting significant improvements in teachers’ welfare, professional development, and infrastructural expansion.

According to him, the union secured prompt salary payments, promotion arrears, annual increments, and interventions on pension-related matters, while also resolving cases of victimisation, wrongful postings, salary stoppage, and other disputes through its Legal and Welfare Committees.

“Persistent advocacy led to the recruitment of additional teachers and non-teaching staff, which eased workloads, improved teacher–pupil ratios, and enhanced learning outcomes across schools. It also facilitated long-delayed promotions, conducted trainings for SWEC members, and organised capacity-building programmes and mentorship sessions for young teachers,” he added.

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Tinubu Picks Joseph Tegbe to Replace Adelabu as Power Minister

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Joseph Tegbe

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Following the resignation of Mr Adebayo Adelabu as the Minister of Power a few days ago, President Bola Tinubu has nominated Mr Joseph Tegbe as his replacement.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed on Thursday that Mr Tegbe’s name has been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.

His nomination is expected to strengthen further ongoing efforts to reform the power sector, enhance grid stability, and attract sustainable investment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Upon confirmation, he is expected to bring his extensive expertise to bear to advance critical reforms and deliver improved outcomes for Nigerians in the power sector.

Mr Adelabu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), resigned last week to pursue his dream of becoming the Governor of Oyo State.

His replacement is also from Oyo State. He is a fiscal and economic reform expert with over 35 years of experience spanning the public and private sectors, according to the statement today.

He is a former Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa, where he led wide-ranging initiatives in fiscal policy reform, institutional transformation, and governance. He has also advised key government institutions and private sector organisations on strategic reforms, regulatory frameworks, and investment structuring.

He is at present the Director General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), where he is responsible for strengthening bilateral development cooperation between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.

The NCSP also coordinates engagements with public sector stakeholders to advance economic and social development in line with FOCAC objectives.

Mr Tegbe’s experience includes significant engagements within the power sector, particularly in regulatory and institutional reform involving agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).

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