Project Abstract

Abstract
This research project aims to explore the effectiveness of counseling in promoting sustainable livelihoods among Nigerian adolescents and youths. The target clients for this intervention are individuals between the ages of 15 to 30 years old who are facing challenges related to education, employment, and overall well-being. In Nigeria, this demographic group often struggles to secure stable employment and access to educational opportunities, leading to a cycle of poverty and limited social mobility. Counseling has been identified as a valuable tool in addressing the psychosocial needs of adolescents and youths, which are often intertwined with their economic circumstances. By providing a safe space for individuals to explore their aspirations, concerns, and mental health challenges, counseling can empower young people to make informed decisions about their future. In the context of sustainable livelihoods, counseling can help clients identify their strengths, set realistic goals, and develop strategies to overcome barriers to success. The Nigerian context presents unique challenges and opportunities for implementing counseling interventions for sustainable livelihoods. Factors such as widespread poverty, limited access to quality education, and high youth unemployment rates underscore the importance of addressing the psychosocial well-being of young people. Additionally, cultural norms and stigmas around mental health may affect the willingness of adolescents and youths to seek counseling services. To evaluate the impact of counseling on sustainable livelihoods, a mixed-methods research design will be employed. Quantitative surveys will assess changes in clients' self-efficacy, goal-setting abilities, and overall well-being before and after counseling sessions. Qualitative interviews with clients and counselors will provide insights into the perceived benefits and challenges of the intervention. The findings of this research project have the potential to inform policy and practice in the field of youth development and mental health in Nigeria. By demonstrating the value of counseling in promoting sustainable livelihoods among adolescents and youths, this study seeks to contribute to efforts aimed at improving the socio-economic outcomes of young people in the country. Ultimately, the goal is to empower Nigerian adolescents and youths to overcome barriers to success and achieve their full potential in a rapidly changing world.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

The increasing rate of unemployment in Nigeria is fast becoming a popular subject matter. It is the ideal cynical mechanism, which accounts for why many crimes abound in the society. The quick excuse from most youth, who indulge themselves in anti-social crime, is unemployment. And for obvious reasons, it has also become the most appealing topic of deliberation in the country. This menace can be appropriately handled if entrepreneurial development is adequately encouraged through vocational education. Entrepreneurship as seen in this paper is the skill to develop new adventures or apply a new technique to an old business. It entails risks, identifies business opportunity, gathers resources, initiates action and establishes an organization or enterprise to meet such demand or market opportunity. This paper presents evidence that promoting entrepreneurship development through Vocational Education can be an effective way of tackling unemployment in Nigeria. The findings also showed that unemployment is a global problem in Nigeria and empowering the youth is a sure ways of diversifying the economic. conclusion and recommendation were also drawn from the study

outlines the history and evolution of the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to Poverty Reduction. As well as defining main concepts and key principles, it introduces the DFID Sustainable Livelihoods Framework as a tool for analysing poverty. It also explains the need to research poverty at household level, as well as the importance of investigating internal power dynamics within households.

explores the different elements of the DFID Sustainable Livelihoods Framework in depth. It defines and illustrates key aspects of the Vulnerability Context and demonstrates how they affect livelihood assets and strategies. It also examines how Policies, Institutions and Processes enable or disable people’s livelihoods, while promoting an awareness of power relations throughout. Finally, it explains the difference between coping and adaptive strategies in terms of their impact on assets and outcomes.

provides practical guidance on how to conduct a Sustainable Livelihoods Analysis in the field. It outlines the links between the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach/Framework and participatory research methodologies and tools. In order to demonstrate best practice, it provides a step-by-step account of a FAO Sustainable Livelihoods Analysis, followed by a Questions and Answers session with the research consultant who conducted it.

explores practical ways to influence Poverty Reduction using the Approach and Framework. It explores some key mistakes made by development practitioners when designing projects and programmes, while offering some examples of Sustainable Livelihoods best practice in the field. It concludes with an in-depth interview with Oxfam Ireland’s Livelihoods Programme Co-ordinator.