UNEMPLOYMENT, CRIME RATE AND INTERNAL SECURITY IN EKITI STATE

Abstract

Unemployment, crime rate and security are impediments to social progress, and they lead to waste of human and material resources in the most nations of the world today, most especially developing countries including Ekiti State. Therefore, this study broadly examined the relationship among unemployment, crime rate and internal security in Ekiti State. The study employed both descriptive and inferential statistics using frequencies and percentage counts as well as binary Logit and Probit regression and marginal effect estimation to explore the stated objectives of this study. The population of study is 2,737,186 and the sample size using Taro Yamane formula is 400. The study adopted a multi-stage sampling technique (M-SST) and Ekiti State was stratified into three senatorial districts. 480 structured questionnaires were administered across the three senatorial districts of Ekiti State. From each senatorial district, six towns were selected (using simple random and systematic sampling techniques) comprising three urban and three rural towns, thus a total of 18 towns were selected in all. The findings showed that structural unemployment, crime-related socio-economic pressures, and the socio-economic consequences of unemployment significantly increase insecurity perception among the residents. The study also revealed that factors such as poor infrastructure, weak government policies, poverty, drug abuse, weak policing systems, inequality, and inability to meet basic needs accounted for unemployment and criminal activities which intensify insecurity concern in the State. The study therefore concluded that insecurity in Ekiti State is fundamentally driven by structural unemployment, socio-economic deprivation, and institutional weaknesses. Based on the findings and conclusion of the study, it is therefore recommended that government should prioritize employment creation programmes and improve infrastructural facilities in the State. More so, government should improve the operational capacity of security agencies in Ekiti State through adequate funding, modern security equipment, surveillance technology, and regular personnel training.