By Ijeoma Agbafo
Youths in Kazaure Local Government Area of Jigawa State have identified scrap metal collection as a reliable source of livelihood, saying the business has provided steady income amid prevailing economic challenges.
The youths, who spoke in separate interviews on Thursday, said the trade involved collecting discarded metal from homes, workshops and construction sites for sale to recycling dealers.
They noted that the growing demand for recyclable materials had sustained the business and created employment opportunities for many young people. A scrap collector, Mr Dayyabu Isyaku, said the business had enabled him to support himself and contribute to his family’s upkeep, while Mr Abdulhadi Mansur described scrap metal collection as a legitimate means of earning a living that required patience and consistency.
He encouraged unemployed youths to consider the trade as a viable source of income. Also speaking, Mr Umar Muhammad said the business had reduced idleness among youths by providing productive engagement, while Mr Sulaiman Abubakar noted that it also promoted environmental cleanliness by removing discarded metal waste from communities.
He called on relevant authorities to support young entrepreneurs in recycling through skills development and public awareness. The youths agreed that scrap metal collection had become an important means of livelihood in the area, contributing not only to household income but also to cleaner communities and environmental sustainability.
