A Bayero University Professor and Dean, Dangote Business School, Prof. Murtala Sagagi, has said there are four million unemployed persons in Kano and Jigawa states respectively.
Prof. Sagagi, who made the disclosure at a Business Roundtable with the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar in Kano on Sunday night, said Kano had 3.3 million unemployed, while Jigawa had only 700,000.
Sagagi said the statistic was based on a survey conducted by a committee he served as a consultant.
He said the survey also indicated that Kaduna state had 1.3 million unemployed persons, lamenting that the number of unemployed persons in northern states was alarming.
He advised northern states to give priority to jobs creation through revitalisation of all ailing industries with a view to reducing the rates of unemployment among youths in the region.
He recalled that Kano for instance had 2,500 industries operating in the state in the past but only 400 industries were now operating in the entire North, while the rest had collapsed.
Professor Sagagi attributed the underdevelopment of the region to inconsistency in the implementation of government policies.
Also speaking, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said if given the mandate to lead the country, he would tackle unemployment challenges by supporting small and medium scale enterprises.
“If you want to reduce poverty empower the women because I have tried it and seen its impact.
He listed a number of measures that he would take if elected President which include additional allocation of funds to state and local governments to enable them execute developmental projects.
He said in addition, local and state governments would be given more powers because of their closeness to the grassroots.
“We shall also reopen the borders to ensure free movement of goods and services that are not prohibited by our laws.
“The ECOWAS emphasizes free movement of goods and services and World Trade Organisation (WHO). So, if elected I will reopen the border to enhance economic activities.
“We are ready to listen to all your problems because we held similar meeting with business community in Aba and Lagos,” Atiku said.
