ANALYSIS OF UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN NIGERIA AND ITS IMPACT ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF BENIN STUDENTS

This study examines the relationship between unemployment in Nigeria and its impact on the academic performance of university students, with a particular focus on the University of Benin. The research investigates how high unemployment rates influence students’ motivation, academic choices, and overall performance, considering factors such as financial constraints, psychological stress, and perceptions of the labor market. Data were collected through the administration of structured questionnaires to a representative sample of students. Findings reveal that the persistent unemployment crisis contributes significantly to reduced academic motivation, increased anxiety about the future, and a tendency toward underperformance. The study further highlights the socio- economic pressures on students, such as inability to afford learning materials, reduced concentration in studies, and declining interest in certain disciplines perceived to have limited employment opportunities. It concludes that unemployment not only undermines students’ academic outcomes but also discourages investment in higher education. The research recommends stronger government intervention in job creation, career support programs in universities, and policies to better align academic curricula with labor market needs, thereby reducing the negative influence of unemployment on academic performance.