About 73 percent of young Nigerians are considering leaving the country, with unemployment, limited economic opportunities and poor access to capital among the main reasons, according to the Nigerian Youth Pulse Survey.

The survey, which covered more than 100 young Nigerians, was presented in Abuja during a dialogue organised by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and its Youth Advisory Committee to mark International Youth Day.

The findings point to a more complicated picture of Nigeria’s youth emigration trend. For many respondents, the desire to leave appears to be closely tied to economic opportunity rather than simply the attraction of living abroad.

In fact, 85.5 percent of respondents said they would prefer to remain in Nigeria if better economic opportunities were available. Access to finance emerged as the biggest obstacle for young people seeking stable incomes, with 60.9 percent of respondents identifying lack of capital and access to finance as a major barrier.

This was followed by inadequate job opportunities, cited by 49.1 percent of respondents, while 42.7 percent pointed to skills gaps. Another 37.3 percent identified weaknesses in the business environment, including high interest rates and limited access to credit.

The findings suggest that the decision to emigrate is not necessarily permanent or driven by a rejection of Nigeria. For a large proportion of young people surveyed, better opportunities at home could make staying a more attractive option.

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The Netherlands’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Bengt van Loosdrecht, said the survey showed that young Nigerians were looking for functional systems and opportunities rather than simply seeking an exit route.

He said unemployment ranked above insecurity as a major factor behind youth emigration, adding that creating more economic opportunities could encourage more young Nigerians to remain in the country.

The survey also linked unemployment and economic exclusion to insecurity. Respondents supported a “jobs before policing” approach, arguing that limited economic opportunities could increase young people’s vulnerability to crime alongside weaknesses in law enforcement.

For young entrepreneurs, access to capital remains a particular challenge. The report called for government and financial institutions to develop financing models that are more accessible to young people, including lower collateral requirements and simpler loan application processes.

It also recommended using mobile technology and mentorship programmes to widen access to finance. On employment, the report called for a shift away from training programmes that primarily provide certificates towards programmes that lead more directly to income.

It recommended stronger partnerships between employers and training providers, paid work-based learning and commercial agribusiness initiatives to help young people gain experience while earning an income.

The report also proposed entry-level hiring quotas and tax incentives for companies that employ young Nigerians. The findings come as Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenge of creating enough productive opportunities for a large and growing youth population.

For the young people captured by the survey, the choice appears less straightforward than simply staying or leaving. A significant majority said they would rather build their lives in Nigeria if they could find the jobs, capital and economic opportunities needed to do so.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement (North Central), Abiodun Essiet, said the findings could help inform government policy and called for greater inclusion of women in youth-focused platforms.

The survey therefore presents youth emigration not only as a migration issue, but also as a measure of how young Nigerians perceive their economic prospects at home.

Meiza Nigeria