ABSTRACT

The study assessed youth participation in Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES) of Osun State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of respondents, ascertain the level of participation of youths in OYES activities, ascertain the perceived benefits of participating in OYES activities, ascertain the empowerment status of participants, ascertain the livelihood outcomes of participation in OYES activities, ascertain the perception of youths on OYES activities and to examine the constraints to participation of youths in OYES activities. Purposive and multi-stage random sampling techniques were employed to select 180 respondents from three senatorial zones for the study. Primary data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and mean scores, while Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis and ordinary least square regression analysis were used to test the null hypotheses at 5% level of significance. The result showed that the mean age of the respondents was 29.7 years, 53.3% of the them were males while 46.7% were females. The result also revealed that re-orientation training ( = 3.93), OYES multimedia ( = 3.63), make up ( = 3.46) and O’Money ( = 3.25) were some of the OYES activities that recorded high level of participation. Reduced unemployment ( = 3.64), reduced crime and other social vices ( = 3.62) and skill development ( = 3.57) were the perceived benefits of participating in OYES activities. The result also revealed that the youths participating in the activities of OYES were empowered in the following ways: enhanced entrepreneurial skills ( = 3.53), enhanced contribution to family needs ( = 3.48) and increased competence for self-employment ( = 3.39). Increased income ( = 2.36), increased well-being ( = 2.47) and provision of employment ( = 2.68) were some of the livelihood outcomes of participation in the OYES activities. The result also showed that OYES actively involved participants ( = 3.58), incorporated skilled trainers ( = 3.50) and adequately provided training materials ( = 3.22). Poor motivation/lack of incentives ( = 2.57) and distance to training centre ( = 2.17) were the major constraints to participation in OYES activities. The correlation analysis showed that there was significant (3.351)^** relationship between perception of youths and their participation in OYES activities at 5% level of significance. The ordinary least square regression analysis revealed that income (2.119)^** and years of unemployment (2.241)^** significantly influenced the participation of youths in OYES activities at 5% level of significance. The correlation analysis showed significant (2.333)^** relationship between youth participation in OYES activities and their empowerment status at 5% level of significance. The ordinary least square regression analysis revealed that youth participation in OYES activities had significant positive effects on increased income (2.286)^**, employment provision (2.685)^** and increased wellbeing (2.389)^** at 5% level of significance. The study concluded that there was high level of youth participation in OYES activities in the study area. The study therefore, recommended that OYES be sustained and expanded for continued promotion of employable skills, value orientation and leadership training aimed specifically at empowering youths for sustainable livelihood.