ABSTRACT

The major objective of this study is to analyze urban youth employment status in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Simple random sampling method was used. Forty respondents were drawn from each of the two local government areas which make up Port Harcourt, namely Obiakpo and Port Harcourt City Local government areas, to give a sample of 80 respondents for the study. Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. The sample randomly includes youth that are unemployed and employed. Methods of data analysis were percentages, frequencies and logit regression. The results of data analysis showed that marital status, level of education, number of times of employment and place of origin were significant and negatively related to employment status. These factors could therefore be used as policy instruments to improve employment status of youth in the study area and Nigeria as a whole. Government should create gainful job opportunities for young school leavers to avoid the youths changing jobs incessantly. Youths also should be encouraged to acquire special skills which will make them more marketable in the labour market. Government should organize and conduct orientation programmes for indigenes in order to encourage them to seek employment.