Policy, Youth Recruitment and Empowerment in Nigeria: A Case Study of Osun State Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES)

Abstract

This study examines the effect of Osun State Youth empowerment Scheme (OYES) on job creation and youth empowerment in the state and appraised its impact on capacity building of the youth. It also identified challenges in its implementation in the state. These were with a view to identifying gap between its expected outcomes and its achievements. Data for this study were generated through primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary source of data includes a structured questionnaire and interview conducted among unemployed beneficiaries and OYES coordinators/inspectors. The secondary source of data includes books, journals, newspapers, periodicals, and internet materials. Quantitative data were analysed using univariate and bivariate analysis (chi-square test), while content analysis was employed for qualitative data. The results showed that 84% of the respondents were of the view that OYES was just a palliative measure that has helped to create few jobs and empowered youths in the state. It was also indicated by 57% of the respondents that the capacity building of youths was not improved because OYES scheme was more focused on unskilled menial jobs. In addition, 85% of the respondents were of the view that the implementation of OYES was faulty with challenges. The study concluded that there was gap between expected outcomes of OYES and its achievements so far in the Osun State. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n1s1p384