JOB CREATION THROUGH THE INFORMAL ECONOMY IN THE SOUTHEAST OF NIGERIA

Abstract

This research examines the impact of unemployment in Nigeria, with a focus on the Southeast region, and investigates the role of the informal sector in job creation. The sample consists of 120 households in the urban areas of Enugu State, Nigeria, specifically Enugu North, Enugu East, Enugu South, Udi, and Nkanu East. The sampling method employed is stratified random sampling. The research instruments are questionnaires administered through both interviews and written formats. Data is analyzed using descriptive statistics. The research findings indicate that the informal sector plays a significant role in job creation, particularly for women and youth. Most respondents are aged 41-65 years and have a secondary or tertiary education. The predominant employment types are business ownership or temporary work. Skills are mainly acquired through on-the-job training and apprenticeships. Key sources of capital are personal savings and loans from family/friends. Monthly income largely falls within the range of 31,000 - 40,000 Naira. Major challenges include a lack of capital, inadequate infrastructure, and government policy uncertainty. Most respondents have been unemployed for over 52 weeks, primarily due to economic recession and inflation, and predominantly seek full-time employment.