The Health Effects of Underemployment in Nigeria: A Silent Crisis We’re Not Talking About Enough


 


Underemployment in Nigeria is like a slow-burning fire—less visible than unemployment, but just as destructive. It affects millions of people every day, yet it rarely sparks the kind of national conversation it deserves.

We all know someone—maybe a university graduate driving a Keke, or an engineer working as a cashier—who is educated, skilled, and eager to contribute meaningfully, but stuck in a job that pays peanuts or doesn’t utilize their abilities. That’s underemployment, and it’s taking a serious toll—not just economically, but physically and mentally too.

What Is Underemployment, Really?

Underemployment refers to a situation where people are working, but not in jobs that match their skills, education level, or desired hours. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s underemployment rate was 15.6% as of Q4 2020. When combined with an unemployment rate of 33.3%, more than 48% of the labor force is not fully utilized (NBS 2021).

But the story doesn’t end at numbers—it digs deep into people’s health, families, and communities.

1. Mental Health: The Hidden Burden

For many Nigerians, especially youth, underemployment feels like a personal failure, even when it's clearly systemic. Imagine spending years in school, graduating with good grades, only to end up doing menial or low-paying jobs. That frustration? It builds up.

Research by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows a strong link between underemployment and mental health challenges such as:

Depression


Anxiety


Substance abuse


Unfortunately, mental health support in Nigeria is still lacking. According to a report by the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, there are fewer than 300 psychiatrists serving over 200 million Nigerians. Most people suffering from mental distress due to underemployment go untreated.

2. Physical Health: The Body Bears the Cost

Underemployment also affects people physically. Low wages often mean people can’t afford quality food, healthcare, or housing. That leads to:

Poor nutrition, especially among young adults and mothers


Increased stress-related illnesses like high blood pressure, ulcers, or heart disease


Delayed treatment for conditions like malaria, diabetes, and infections


And let’s not forget the long hours many underemployed Nigerians work just to make ends meet—whether it’s combining multiple gigs, hustling on the street, or doing labor-intensive tasks outside their skill set.

3. Family and Social Stress

In Nigeria, many people are not just working for themselves—they’re breadwinners for entire families. Underemployment can cause strain in marriages, delay in child-rearing, and family conflict.

Socially, many underemployed individuals feel ashamed or isolated. It’s tough to engage with peers when you feel like you're not doing "enough," despite giving your best. This creates a cycle of low self-worth, withdrawal, and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts.

4. Youth Restiveness and Crime

Here’s where underemployment becomes a national security issue.

With over 13 million out-of-school children and a frustrated youth population, underemployment feeds into:

Cybercrime ("Yahoo Yahoo")


Cultism and gang activity


Political thuggery and violence


According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), there’s a direct correlation between joblessness (including underemployment) and rising crime in urban areas of Nigeria.

5. Healthcare Access: Still a Luxury for Many

Without stable jobs, most underemployed Nigerians lack health insurance or access to decent medical services. Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) still struggles to cover informal workers or part-timers effectively.

This leads to increased reliance on:

Traditional medicine (which is not always safe or regulated)


Self-medication (which can cause drug resistance or complications)


Prayer houses or miracle centers (due to desperation)


All of these create long-term health risks for vulnerable populations.

So What Can We Do About It?

Solving underemployment isn't just about creating more jobs—it’s about creating meaningful, decent, and well-paying jobs that match people’s skills and aspirations.

Here’s what Nigeria needs:

Job creation policies focused on sectors like tech, agriculture, and renewable energy


Expansion of vocational training and entrepreneurship programs


Mental health advocacy and affordable access to psychological support


Health insurance coverage for informal and part-time workers


Social welfare systems that provide a safety net during hard times


Final Thoughts

Underemployment is not just a paycheck problem—it’s a health crisis hiding in plain sight. From depression and stress to family conflict and poor nutrition, the effects are deep and damaging.

If Nigeria is serious about improving public health and national productivity, it’s time to shine a spotlight on underemployment and treat it like the threat it really is.

Let’s move beyond survival. Let’s talk solutions.

Sources:

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Labour Force Report Q4 2020


WHO Mental Health Atlas 2021


Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN)


UNODC Nigeria Crime Statistics 2023


National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA)


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How I Communicate With My Team Asynchronously Without Losing My Mind (Or at least without everyone realizing I already did.)

Image
Working asynchronously is basically group-project energy, but the group is scattered across five time zones and someone is always sleeping, eating, or mysteriously “offline.” On a good day, it feels efficient and flexible. On a bad day, it feels like yelling into the void and hoping the void emails back. After a few years of remote work, I’ve finally figured out a system that keeps things moving and keeps me from sending chaotic 1 a.m. Slack messages. Here’s what works for me (and might save your sanity too). 1. I Send One Solid Message Instead of 47 Tiny Ones Once upon a time, I was a chronic “Hey-quick question” sender. My messages looked like a rapid-fire text thread with someone who never replies in real time. Now I take a breath and send a single, organized message that includes: What I need Why I need it The context Any links or screenshots It’s magical. People wake up, open one neatly packaged message, and know exactly what’s going on. No scavenger hunt through 12 half-thoughts....
Read more

The Remote Worker’s Morning Routine for Energy, Focus, and Fewer Aches (Simple routines that don’t feel like a productivity cult)

Image
Remote work sounds soft until you realize your bed is now your office, your chair is judging you, and your back has started filing complaints. If you work remotely in Nigeria, mornings can feel like a sport: NEPA may or may not show up Data might be fast… or spiritual Your body is stiff from sleeping like a folded laptop This routine is not about becoming a 5 a.m. monk. It’s about starting your day with energy, focus, and fewer aches,  without doing too much. 1. Wake Up Gently (No, Not With Panic) The first mistake most remote workers make is waking up and immediately checking WhatsApp, Slack, or email. Suddenly: Your chest is tight Someone is “circling back” at 6:12 a.m. Your mood is gone before your eyes fully open Try this instead: Give yourself 10 quiet minutes before screens. Sit up Stretch your arms Take a few slow breaths Think of it as telling your body, “We are alive, but we are not under attack.” 2. Move Your Body (Small Movements Count) You don’t need to jog like you’re...
Read more

Mental Health for Remote Workers: How to Beat Isolation Without Forcing Social Interaction

Image
Remote work is freedom, flexibility, and working in sweatpants, but it’s also the strange experience of realizing that the only person you’ve spoken to out loud all day is your laptop, and even that relationship feels one-sided. If you’ve ever closed your laptop at 6pm and thought, “Did I actually exist today?” , congratulations, you’re a normal remote worker. The Quiet Loneliness of Remote Work Remote work removes traffic, office noise, and awkward small talk, which sounds amazing, until you realize that you haven’t had a real human interaction since Monday and it’s now Thursday, and Slack reactions don’t count as emotional support. Yes, you talk to people on Zoom. Yes, you message on Slack. No, “Seen” is not connection. Over time, this lack of real presence can lead to loneliness, motivation dips, and the sudden urge to overthink your entire life at 2am. Why Isolation Sneaks Up on You Isolation doesn’t always show up as sadness, sometimes it shows up as low energy, random procrastina...
Read more