Abuja: The Federal Government has announced plans to invest $220 million in creating employment opportunities for young Nigerians. Vice-President Kashim Shettima made this announcement while inaugurating the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0 at the Presidential Villa.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative is set to be implemented in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the second phase of the NJFP 2.0. The program aims to provide high-potential graduates with real-world work experience, training, and mentorship, thereby bridging the gap between education and employment for thousands of young Nigerians.
Shettima emphasized that the program would harness the nation’s demographic strength and transform it into productive economic power. He expressed the administration’s commitment to integrating the program into the national planning and budgeting frameworks, ensuring that financial commitments reflect the program’s transformative potential. He also called on private sector partners, the development community, and donors to contribute to the NJFP Basket Fund, a sustainable financing mechanism intended to secure the program’s future.
Vice-President Shettima urged the EU, UNDP, and other partners to view the program’s launch as an opportunity to demonstrate that youth employment is a shared responsibility. He highlighted the multiplier effect that can be achieved when resources are pooled and intentions are aligned towards a common goal.
Shettima acknowledged the contributions of the EU and the UNDP, noting their belief in Nigeria’s youth and the potential for collaboration to achieve significant outcomes. He called on Nigeria’s public institutions, private sector, and philanthropic community to lead the initiative, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in driving the program forward.
He stated that NJFP 2.0 would focus on inclusivity, acknowledging the diverse realities of young Nigerians across regions, genders, and social backgrounds. The next phase of the program will aim to reach all corners of the country, aligning placements with sectors crucial to Nigeria’s economic future, such as agriculture, renewable energy, digital technology, manufacturing, and creative industries.
Shettima expressed optimism that the NJFP’s second phase would turn Nigeria’s demographic advantage into a generation of productive citizens, creating jobs, building enterprises, and shaping the nation’s future. He highlighted the importance of a fair system that recognizes effort, rewards merit, and provides opportunities for young Nigerians who are eager to contribute to the nation’s development.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the NJFP 2.0 as a continuation of the Federal Government’s success in youth empowerment. He noted that since its inception in 2021, the program has helped over 13,000 youths gain skills. The minister assured that the initiative would build on its progress and achieve its long-term goal of placing 100,000 youths in jobs within five years.
Ms. Elsie Attafuah, the Resident Representative of the UNDP in Nigeria, highlighted the generous funding from the EU and implementation support from the UNDP, which have been essential in connecting potential to opportunity. She noted that the NJFP’s vision has resulted in over 40,000 Nigerians being placed in various economic sectors, stressing the need for the program’s platform to help millions of Nigerians thrive in today’s economy.