The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly rejected the recent unemployment report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), describing it as “fiction” and inconsistent with the harsh realities faced by Nigerians. The NLC’s criticism was echoed by the Organised Private Sector (OPS), both of which argue that the report fails to reflect the actual state of the Nigerian economy.
The NBS report indicated a decline in Nigeria’s unemployment rate to 4.3% in Q2 2024, down from 5.3% in Q1 2024, signaling a recovery in the labour market. Other indicators showed improvement in workforce engagement, with the Labour Force Participation Rate rising to 79.5% and the Employment-to-Population Ratio climbing to 76.1%. The report also highlighted a drop in youth unemployment and an increase in self-employment, which makes up 85.6% of total employment.
However, the NLC’s National Assistant General Secretary, Chris Onyeka, dismissed the findings as “a fabrication designed to mislead the public.” He argued that the data did not align with the economic struggles seen in the country, citing factory closures, rising inventories, and reduced consumer spending. Onyeka questioned the methodology of the report, calling it a “figment of imagination,” and insisted that unemployment was actually on the rise, not decreasing.
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President, Gabriel Idahosa, and economist Dr. Muda Yusuf shared similar concerns, calling for a review of the report’s methodology to better reflect the reality of job creation in Nigeria. Both pointed out the slowdown in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and trade, which traditionally generate jobs, as evidence that unemployment was not improving.
The NLC also criticized the gender disparities revealed in the report, with women facing a higher unemployment rate (5.1%) compared to men (3.4%). Labour leaders have called for targeted policies to address these gaps and improve the quality of jobs across the country.
The debate over the NBS unemployment report underscores the growing frustration among Nigerians regarding the accuracy and usefulness of official statistics. Critics argue that while unemployment figures may show technical improvements, the real economic challenges persist, particularly in sectors reliant on informal and low-wage work.