UNEMPLOYMENT AND CRIME IN NIGERIA: A REVIEW OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRECARIOUS EMPLOYMENT AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR

Unemployment and the rise of precarious employment have become defining features of contemporary labour markets, posing profound challenges for social stability and economic security. In Nigeria, these conditions are increasingly linked to the surge in criminal activities, as individuals deprived of stable and meaningful work are often compelled to resort to illicit means of survival. This paper therefore examined the relationship between unemployment, precarious employment and criminal behaviour in Nigeria, with specific objectives to investigate how unemployment drives crime, analyse how precarious employment contributes to criminality, and evaluate the policy implications of addressing both challenges simultaneously. Anchored on Strain Theory and Precariat Theory, the paper provided a theoretical foundation for understanding how blocked opportunities, insecurity and vulnerability associated with unstable work culminate in deviant behaviour. The paper adopted a systemic review methodology, drawing on peer-reviewed journal articles, government reports, international labour statistics and recent empirical studies published between 2013 and 2024. The revealed that both unemployment and precarious employment significantly heighten crime rates, particularly among youths, by fostering frustration, economic insecurity and social exclusion. It further established that while unemployment remains a visible driver of crime, precarious work equally fuels criminal behaviour by denying individuals long-term stability and dignity. The paper concluded that crime reduction in Nigeria cannot be achieved by job creation alone but requires the promotion of decent, secure and sustainable work opportunities. The paper therefore recommended among others targeted labour reforms, youth empowerment initiatives, strengthened social protection, and integrated unemployment-crime policies as essential pathways to address the dual challenges effectively.