Members of the 10th House of Representatives have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity and youth restiveness by revitalising struggling economic sectors and expanding employment opportunities across Nigeria.
The lawmakers made the call on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Billy Osawaru, who raised concerns about the connection between unemployment, economic decline and rising criminal activities.
Lawmakers Cite Rising Security Concerns
Presenting the motion, Osawaru said the government had a constitutional responsibility to protect citizens and promote their welfare, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
He expressed concern over persistent incidents of banditry, kidnapping, killings, cultism and youth restiveness, arguing that the decline of productive industries and limited employment opportunities had compounded the challenges facing communities.
According to security figures from SBM Intelligence cited in the motion, more than 10,000 people were killed and 7,500 kidnapped in over 1,700 security incidents up to 2024. The motion also cited 2,683 deaths and 1,107 kidnappings in the first quarter of 2025. These figures relate to the periods specified and should not be interpreted as current totals.
Call to Revive Productive Industries
The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to prioritise the revival of labour-intensive industries capable of generating jobs and strengthening livelihoods.
The proposal places economic development alongside conventional security measures, with the argument that greater access to employment could reduce the vulnerability of unemployed young people to recruitment by criminal groups.
The motion also drew attention to the need to restore productive capacity in sectors such as manufacturing and solid minerals, where lawmakers identified opportunities for economic growth.
The Federal Government’s response and the implementation of any measures arising from the motion will be important in determining its practical impact.