Youth Empowerment and Crime Reduction in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

Background: Youth unemployment and limited opportunities for socio-economic development are major contributors to criminal activities in many parts of Nigeria, including Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State. These challenges increase vulnerability among youths, reduce social cohesion, and hinder community development. However, while, youth empowerment programmes have been implemented to mitigate these issues, their effectiveness in reducing youth involvement in crime remains under-researched in the context of Boki LGA of Cross River State. Objective: The study examined the impact of youth empowerment programmes on crime reduction among youths in Boki LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria. Method: The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. A total of 350 youths, aged 18–35 years, were sampled from the communities in Boki LGA using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.92. Descriptive statistics, including frequency tables and percentages, were used to analyse the data. Results: Findings show that while a majority of youths in Boki LGA were aware of empowerment initiatives, participation levels were moderate due to factors such as limited access, inadequate programme content, and socio-cultural barriers. Importantly, participants who engaged actively in skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, and community development programmes reported lower involvement in criminal activities compared to non-participants. Conclusion: The study concludes that youth empowerment programmes in Boki LGA have a positive influence on crime reduction; however, challenges related to accessibility, content relevance, and social support limit their overall effectiveness. Unique Contribution: The study provides empirical evidence linking youth empowerment interventions to crime reduction at the local government level in Nigeria, particularly in a rural context. It fills the gap in literature on localized youth development strategies and their practical impact on social security. Key Recommendations: The Policymakers, community leaders, and development agencies should implement comprehensive, inclusive, and context-specific empowerment programmes that address barriers to participation and actively involve youths in design, execution, and monitoring of initiatives. Emphasis should be placed on sustainable skill acquisition, mentorship, and financial support to maximize the potential of youth-led crime reduction in Boki LGA.