Residents of Yobe State have expressed concern over the increasing migration of young people to Libya, Algeria and other countries, warning that the trend is leaving some communities with fewer young people to drive local development.

The residents called on the Federal and Yobe State governments to urgently address insecurity, unemployment and economic hardship, which they identified as major factors pushing youths out of their communities.

The village head of Sonomari in Yusufari Local Government Area, Baba Alkali, said more than 1,000 young people from communities in the area had migrated to Libya, Algeria and other countries in search of better economic opportunities.

Alkali said insecurity, desertification and worsening economic conditions had disrupted traditional livelihoods such as farming and fishing, leaving many youths with limited options for survival.

He said young people previously travelled to the Lake Chad area after the rainy season to engage in dry-season farming and fishing, but insecurity had made such activities increasingly difficult.

According to him, the removal of the fuel subsidy further increased economic pressure on households, contributing to the growing movement of young people to North African countries.

Alkali, however, noted that migration had also provided some economic benefits to families and communities through remittances sent by youths living abroad.

He said some migrants had formed associations through which they contributed millions of naira towards the education of children in their communities, while others supported their parents and relatives financially.

The village head added that several new houses being constructed in the communities were funded by migrants who sent money home to their families.

Despite these benefits, he said community leaders had struggled to convince young people to remain at home because of the absence of comparable economic opportunities.

Alkali warned that the continued departure of young people was gradually reducing the workforce available for community development and could leave some villages increasingly deserted.

He also raised concerns that young migrants could be exposed to exploitation and other harmful activities while seeking opportunities abroad.

He urged the Federal Government, the Yobe State Government and Yusufari Local Government Council to prioritise employment creation and sustainable economic opportunities for young people to reduce the pressure to migrate.

The residents said addressing insecurity and restoring viable agricultural and other livelihood opportunities would be critical to retaining young people and strengthening development in the affected communities.