Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
The growing wave of unemployment across Nigeria has become a national emergency. As factories shut down and skilled workers idle away, one pressing question divides opinion: Is the unemployment crisis a failure of governance or a reflection of national weakness?
In Kaduna State alone, once-thriving industrial giants have gone under. They include:
1· Kaduna Textile Limited (KTL)
2· Arewa Textiles Nigeria Limited
3· Finetex Nigeria, Kaduna
4· Supertex Nigeria Limited
5· United Nigerian Textiles Limited (UNTL)
6· Nortex Textile, Kaduna
7· Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN)
8· Kaduna Aluminum Limited
9· New Nigerian Newspapers
All these companies are no longer in operation — a stark testament to decades of decline.
Key factors fueling the crisis:
Power supply collapse: Unreliable electricity has crippled production, forcing many manufacturers to fold under high operating costs from diesel generators.
Lack of government support: There has been insufficient credit, tax relief, or infrastructure support for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
Policy inconsistency: Frequent changes in import, export, and labour policies discourage long-term investment.
Neglect of industrial zones: Many industrial layouts lack roads, security, and drainage, making revival unattractive.
So who is to blame?
Government’s role: Critics argue that successive administrations have failed to provide stable electricity, access to loans, or a business-friendly environment. The collapse of Kaduna’s textile sector, once the pride of northern Nigeria, is often cited as proof of official neglect.
National weakness (Al’ummar kasa): Others point to a culture of dependency, low productivity, poor maintenance habits, and corruption in both public and private sectors. They argue that even when policies improve, implementation fails due to weak civic responsibility and skill gaps.
The unemployment crisis is neither purely a government problem nor entirely a national failing — it is a vicious cycle. Poor governance weakens national capacity, and a weak national character (e.g., lack of accountability) makes good governance difficult. Breaking the cycle requires urgent action on electricity, industrial policy, and a reorientation of citizens toward productivity and accountability.
Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini can be reached via abdulalgasqaini@gmail.com
