https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/402 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:15:44 GMT 2026-09-14T11:15:44Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3574 Youth Unemployment and Social Stability in Nigeria: Areas for Legislative Intervention Ejalonibu, Ganiyu; Ezenwajiobi, Chidinma Charity; Olaniyan, Taiwo Youth unemployment remains one of the most critical socioeconomic challenges facing Nigeria today. With over 60% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 25, the country has one of the youngest populations in the world (World Bank, 2024). While this demographic structure offers a potential demographic dividend, persistent unemployment and underemployment among young people threaten social stability, economic growth, and national security. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicates that Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate was about 6.5% in Q2 2024. Although Nigeria rebased its labour statistics in 2023, unemployment among young people remains significantly higher than the national average (NBS, 2024). High youth unemployment has been linked to rising levels of poverty, crime, migration, and social unrest. Youth frustration has also manifested in political protests, most notably the 2020 #EndSARS protests, which highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with governance, economic opportunities, and police accountability. Despite the Nigerian Government interventions in ensuring gainful employment for youths, like the Nigerian Youth Employment Action Plan (NIYEAP) for the period of 2021 to 2024, aimed to contribute to the achievement of decent, productive and freely chosen employment for young people by complementing and reinforcing existing policy commitments and national development priorities and related efforts. However, youth unemployment remain an issue that if not well tackled may cause social instability in the country. Addressing youth unemployment is therefore essential not only for economic development but also for maintaining social stability and strengthening democratic governance in Nigeria. The National Assembly and the Federal Government may consider the following recommendations: • Convene a multi-stakeholder oversight hearing by inviting the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Ministry of Youth Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ministry Education and organised private-sector stakeholders to review Government policies with aim to promote diversification into labour-intensive sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and digital services. • Urge the Executive to prioritize technical education, vocational training, and digital skills development. • Advise the Federal Government on the need to expand access to finance, business development services, and mentorship programs for young entrepreneurs • Utilize oversight function to advise the Federal Government through the Ministry of Youth Development on the need to improve infrastructure, particularly electricity, transport, and digital connectivity, which are essential for job creation. • Support and strengthen labour polices to support more job creation, improve labour market information systems, and encourage private sector employment. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3574 2026-04-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3473 Electronic Payment Fraud Trends in Nigeria’s Banking Sector — 2025 Data, Emerging Risks, and Legislative Imperatives Ejalonibu, Ganiyu; Obot, Etimbuk; Nandi, Livinus In 2025, Nigerian banks and financial institutions recorded losses of ₦25.85 billion to electronic payment fraud, representing a significant 51% reduction from the ₦52.26 billion lost in 2024, according to data presented by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) at the 2026 Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF). The number of reported fraud cases also declined to about 67,515 in 2025, continuing a five-year downward trend. These improvements reflect coordinated efforts by regulators, financial institutions, and security agencies, as well as progress in identity management initiatives such as the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and its integration with the National Identification Number (NIN). Notwithstanding these gains, electronic payment fraud in Nigeria is becoming more sophisticated, targeted, and technologically enabled. High-value, low-volume fraud, particularly through internet banking, continues to generate disproportionate losses, while social engineering tactics, insider collusion, SIM swaps, phishing, and account compromises remain dominant threat vectors. Emerging digital channels, including mobile banking and e-commerce platforms, are increasingly exploited by fraudsters, raising concerns that existing safeguards may be outpaced by innovation. Additionally, declining institutional reporting raises the risk of underreported incidents, weakening system-wide situational awareness and response capacity. Unchecked, evolving digital fraud threatens public confidence in Nigeria’s payment systems, undermines financial inclusion objectives, and poses systemic risks to the stability and integrity of the financial sector. While regulatory initiatives have reduced losses, gaps persist in compliance, reporting, enforcement, consumer protection, and data-sharing frameworks. As Nigeria aligns its payments infrastructure with global standards such as ISO 20022 and confronts emerging threats including artificial intelligence–enabled fraud and deep fake social engineering, stronger legislative oversight and forward-looking legal frameworks are essential. The National Assembly is therefore kindly urged to: 1. Convene a public oversight hearing in 2026 through the House Committee on Digital and Electronic Banking to examine drivers of electronic payment fraud, assess existing detection and response mechanisms, and identify regulatory and enforcement gaps, with participation from NIBSS, CBN, NFIU, banks, payment service providers, and security agencies. 2. Mandate quarterly fraud reporting by the CBN and NIBSS to the relevant House Committee, detailing fraud value and volume by channel, institutional compliance with reporting obligations, and enforcement actions taken against non-compliant entities. 3. Review and strengthen existing banking and payments legislation to impose proportionate penalties for under-reporting, provide clear legal backing for industry wide fraud data sharing coordinated by NIBSS, and enhance regulatory accountability. 4. Strengthen identity management oversight by requiring periodic briefings on BVN NIN integration coverage, real-time verification gaps, and funding or legislative constraints affecting full implementation. 5. Enhance consumer protection frameworks by establishing clear timelines for complaint resolution and reimbursement, defining liability-sharing among banks, payment service providers, and customers, and reinforcing redress mechanisms for victims of electronic payment fraud. While the reduction in fraud losses in 2025 signals measurable progress, it does not constitute a definitive victory. Sustained legislative engagement in 2026 is critical to consolidating gains, addressing emerging vulnerabilities, and safeguarding Nigeria’s digital financial ecosystem. Proactive oversight and targeted reforms by the National Assembly will be pivotal to strengthening consumer confidence, preserving financial stability, and supporting the continued growth of Nigeria’s digital economy. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3473 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3469 Assessing the Economic Impact of Federal Government’s Economic Reforms on Nigeria’s African Ranking Ejalonibu, Ganiyu; Ezenwajiobi, Chidinma Charity Over the past few years, Nigeria has implemented a set of bold economic reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. These include removing the petroleum subsidy, unifying the foreign exchange market, fiscal consolidation, and efforts to improve revenue generation and investment frameworks. The government argues these reforms have stabilized key macroeconomic indicators and set the economy on a growth trajectory. However, Nigeria’s position relative to other African economies has fluctuated, reflecting both structural issues and external forces. Despite a GDP rebasing exercise that expanded the size of the economy and modest GDP growth in early 2025, Nigeria has continued to lag behind regional peers such as South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria in nominal GDP rankings. This brief examines the nature of these economic reforms, tracks Nigeria’s relative economic position in Africa, discusses implications for citizens and the broader economy, and highlights areas for legislative intervention to strengthen economic performance and improve national well-being. To strengthen the impact of economic reforms and shift Nigeria’s economic performance relative to African peers, this brief hereby recommends the following: i. The National Assembly through its relevant Committees, Senate and House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development, through its oversight functions may wish to advise the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning on the need to mandate rigorous monitoring of economic diversification strategies aimed at reducing reliance on oil and expanding sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and ICT. To establish clear performance indicators tied to GDP growth and structural transformation goals. ii. The National Assembly through its relevant Committees, Senate and House Committee on Finance and Appropriations, may wish to strengthen oversight of revenue and expenditure projections, ensuring institutional accountability in tax reforms and public finance management. Ensure budgeting for social safety nets and poverty alleviation programs to cushion vulnerable populations from the immediate impacts of structural reforms. Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3469 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3465 An Analysis of Nigeria’s Position in the 2025 Corruption Perception Index Ejalonibu, Ganiyu; Ezenwajiobi, Chidinma C.; Udofa, Samuel According to Transparency International's 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index report released in February 2026, Nigeria ranks 142nd out of 182 countries with 26 points out of 100. This represented a slide from the 2024 CPI reports of 26 points and 140 ranking. Nigeria is also positioned as the 36th most corrupt nation on the index. The ranking places Nigeria behind 33 other African countries, spotlighting persistent governance challenges in Africa’s most populous nation. With this, Nigeria’s score remains well below the global average of 43. CISLAC reported that the ranking reflected limited progress in tackling systemic corruption despite repeated reforms and enforcement actions by government institutions. As reported by François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International, corruption is a dynamic worldwide problem that contributes to instability, deteriorating democracy, and human rights abuses in addition to undermining growth. To make real progress against corruption and to strengthen democracy in the country, Nigeria Legislature (National Assembly) needs to do more in strengthening institutions such anti-graft agencies and other institutions responsible for maintaining checks and balances as well as fighting corruption so that they can operate effectively. Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3465 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z