The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Monday urged Nigerian youth and the people in general to quit blaming government or its programmes for the high level of unemployment in the country.

Speaking at a one-day public hearing on youth development and empowerment at the National Assembly in Abuja, he acknowledged that there is a crisis surrounding the subject in Nigeria and called on the federal government, National Assembly, private sector and civil society to focus attention on addressing it.

However, Mr. Saraki said it will do the country no good to continue to cast blame on any individual or administration for the high unemployment rate in Nigeria.

“It is futile to point fingers or cast blame on any one administration and/or government programme. Nigeria’s youth deserve our immediate interest, best thinking and above all, our best efforts to create workable solutions to include their concerns in our national investment framework,” he said.

Highlighting the factors responsible for youth unemployment in the country, Mr. Saraki mentioned population growth outpacing economic growth, inability of school curricula to adequately equip students with skills for employment, and inadequate industries to absorb competent graduates.