Economic hardship, youth grievances, and perceived radicalization vulnerability: implications for counseling in Nigeria
Main Article Content
Abstract
Nigeria faces persistent socioeconomic challenges characterized by unemployment, inflation, poverty, and limited economic opportunities, which may contribute to youth grievances and broader social vulnerability. This study examined respondents’ perceptions of economic hardship, youth grievances, vulnerability to radicalization, and the potential role of counseling and integrated economic empowerment in supporting youth resilience in Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed involving 300 respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent-samples t-tests. The findings indicated that respondents generally perceived unemployment, poverty, inflation, limited career opportunities, and institutional distrust as relevant to youth grievances and vulnerability. Respondents also expressed favorable perceptions of counseling and psychological support for emotional regulation, coping, problem-solving, and resilience. Significant gender differences were identified on selected economic and counseling-related dimensions, although differences were not consistent across all items. Overall, the findings highlight the perceived relevance of integrating counseling and psychological support with economic empowerment initiatives as part of broader efforts to strengthen youth resilience in Nigeria.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Akoji, S. J., & Abaji, A. S. (2025). The 2022 multidimensional poverty index of Nigeria: A sociological review. PanAfrican Journal of Governance and Development (PJGD), 6(1), 141–168. https://doi.org/10.46404/panjogov.v6i1.6192
Chigudu, D. (2025). Youth at the crossroads: Balancing contributions to conflict and peace amid high unemployment in Africa. Frontiers in Political Science, 7, 1599788. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2025.1599788
Enwere, C. A., & Iloakasia, A. J. (2024). The role of self-esteem in predicting psychological well-being among senior secondary school adolescents in Anambra State: A gender perspective. Applied Psychology Research, 3(2), 1555. https://doi.org/10.59400/apr1555
Ikpe, E., Adegoke, D., Olonisakin, F., & Aina, F. (2023). Understanding vulnerability to violent extremism: Evidence from Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria. African Security, 16(1), 5–31. https://doi.org/10.1080/19392206.2023.2185746
Iloakasia, A. J. (2024a). The role of counseling in addressing domestic violence and child abuse. International Journal of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 1(2), 41–50. https://doi.org/10.64420/ijcp.v1i2.172
Iloakasia, A. J. (2024b). The role of school counselors in promoting sanitation practices and resilient communities to enhance child health and livelihoods. Action Research Journal Indonesia (ARJI), 6(3), 109–121. https://doi.org/10.61227/arji.v6i3.199
Okonkwo, N. S., & Akanji, T. A. (2025). Political violence in Nigeria: Examining dynamics, impacts, and sociopolitical realities. Journal of World Affairs, 1(3), 346–364. https://doi.org/10.1177/29769442251383267
Onyiorah, B. O. (2025). Artificial intelligence skill development as a predictor of job readiness among business education undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Anambra State, Nigeria. Journal of Investment Development, Economics and Accounting, 2(2), 114–126. https://doi.org/10.70001/jidea.v2i2.406
Shafieioun, D., & Haq, H. (2023). Radicalization from a societal perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1197282. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1197282
Solomon, O. (2026). Terrorism and political economy in Nigeria: Understanding the Boko Haram insurgency. Islamic University Journal of Social Sciences, 5(3), 498–522.