Nigeria representative at the ECOWAS Parliament, Pascal Agbodike, has called for a radical policy shift to combat West Africa’s growing unemployment crisis, insisting that the private sector — not government — is the real engine for job creation in the region.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the ongoing delocalised ECOWAS parliamentary meeting in Monrovia, Agbodike urged West African governments to strategically refocus on strengthening private enterprises as a sustainable solution to unemployment, particularly among the youth.
“It is the private sector that gives what we need to develop every nation,” he stated, emphasizing that no government in the sub-region has the capacity to fully absorb the rising numbers of jobless citizens.
The meeting, which is assessing the effectiveness of the ECOWAS Investment Policy (EIP) in addressing employment challenges, saw Agbodike advocate for concrete legislative action. He proposed that every ECOWAS country allocate a dedicated percentage of its national budget to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) — which he described as key drivers of economic growth, innovation, and employment opportunities.
To make a meaningful impact, the lawmaker recommended embedding private sector support into national financial plans and enacting policies that would bolster local industries and entrepreneurs. “Our governments must pay proper attention to the business of the private sectors. All the factory owners need active government backing,” he said.
Agbodike stressed that if adequately supported through targeted investments and legal frameworks, the region’s private sector could transform West Africa’s job market, making unemployment “a thing of the past.”
The Monrovia session continues as regional leaders deliberate on policy reforms to accelerate investment and economic inclusivity across ECOWAS member states.
