The Federal Government, FG, has set an ambitious goal of generating at least 20,000 jobs annually through the newly launched second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP 2.0).
The initiative aims to connect high-achieving graduates with essential work experience, mentorship, and training opportunities.
In alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Vice President Kashim Shettima is scheduled to flag off the NJFP 2.0 and open a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Job Creation in Abuja on Wednesday.
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The dialogue will operate under the theme: “From Skills to Jobs and Enterprises: Driving Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship in Key Economic Sectors.”
Ahead of the official launch, Shettima inaugurated the Project Steering Committee for the NJFP 2.0 on Monday.
He tasked the committee members with ensuring the program is inclusive, with opportunities reaching every part of the country.
The NJFP is a key government initiative coordinated by the Office of the Vice President, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and financially supported by the European Union (EU).
Launched initially in 2022, the program has already provided over 14,000 young Nigerians with 12-month paid fellowships, bridging the gap between education and employment.
Shettima described the NJFP as a deliberate attempt to convert Nigeria’s large youth population into a productive economic force, stressing that it is a Nigerian-owned program shaped by national priorities.
In his charge to the committee, Shettima emphasised the need to focus on tangible outcomes and ensure inclusivity across different regions, genders, and social backgrounds.
He stressed that placements must be strategically linked to key future-shaping sectors, including agriculture, digital technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, and the creative industries.
European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, expressed confidence in the program’s ability to transform the lives of young Nigerians, while UNDP Resident Representative,
Elsie Attafuah applauded Shettima for spearheading the initiative, noting that the NJFP 2.0 is part of a broader vision to build a sustainable job-creating ecosystem across the nation.
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia, provided further details during a press briefing.
He explained that the second phase has been redesigned based on lessons learned and current economic realities.
The new phase aims to place a minimum of 24,000 fellows over the next 10 months with EU funding support, reinforcing the administration’s focus on job creation and youth empowerment.
The redesign of the NJFP 2.0 introduces two distinct pathways for every fellow: a path to employment through extended professional placements, and a path to entrepreneurship through enterprise support and business mentorship.
The goal is to ensure every participant either secures meaningful work or launches a viable business in strategic economic sectors upon completion.
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The forthcoming High-Level Policy Dialogue will gather federal and state policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners to devise actionable strategies for expanding employment and aligning youth skills with national needs.
Hadejia hailed the NJFP as a “bold and practical response” that provides a platform to turn skills into jobs and ideas into enterprises for Nigeria’s young innovators.
