Reducing unemployment and crime

Unemployment

Unemployment is low, at just below 10 per cent. However, with no unemployment benefits, people either work in the formal economy, paying taxes or are forced to work illegally in the informal sector. Around 40% of the workforce is employed in informal jobs such as waste recycling (such as the Olusosun landfill site), car washing, and street vending. These jobs are often dangerous, poorly paid, and unregulated.

In 2016, the Employment Trust Fund was set up to provide loans to help people become self-employed.

Crime

Crime rates are very high in Lagos, especially those involving drugs, vandalism and theft. Corruption, bribery, assault and armed robbery rates are high.

A street gang, known as ‘Area Boys’ have a presence on most streets, recruiting children as young as 8-9 years old. Most members are in their 20s. They are involved in a variety of low-level street criminal activities. The gang makes its money from street sales of drugs, thievery, protection rackets and taxing the residents.

Kidnapping is a threat in Lagos, particularly for foreigners. Scams and cyber fraud are increasingly becoming a problem within Lagos’s financial community.