Youth Unemployment and Social Unrest: A Study of Selected Communities in Rivers State, South South Nigeria

This research examines the relationship between youth unemployment and social unrest in selected communities in Rivers State, South South Nigeria. The Niger Delta region has long been characterised by high youth unemployment, resource-driven tensions, and recurring incidents of community violence. Leveraging relative deprivation theory and recent empirical studies on youth exclusion in the South South zone (2019-2024), this study adopts a descriptive survey design. A sample of 280 respondents between the ages of 18 and 35 is drawn from three communities in Port Harcourt, Obio-Akpor, and Eleme local government areas using purposive and simple random sampling. Questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews are used to gather data, which are analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests of association. Preliminary expectations suggest that unemployment-induced frustration, limited vocational opportunities, and perceptions of elite capture contribute significantly to community tensions and youth-driven conflict. The study also explores the moderating roles of family support networks, religious institutions, and non-governmental organisations in mitigating unrest. Findings aim to guide state and federal policy on youth employment creation, social protection, and community peacebuilding initiatives. The research is particularly relevant to Niger Delta development policy and the ongoing youth empowerment agenda of state governments. Keywords: youth unemployment, social unrest, Niger Delta, Rivers State, deprivation