This is the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0, which aims to connect graduates with the training and mentorship they need to be well-equipped to handle real-world work experience.
The Federal Government, along with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is allocating $220 million to create job opportunities for young Nigerians.
This is the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0, which aims to connect graduates with the training and mentorship they need to be well-equipped to handle real-world work experience. Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced the investment at the launch of the NJFP. He explained that the program will bridge the gap for graduates who lack access to opportunities despite their qualifications.
Shettima explained how this program will help Nigeria’s youth population contribute to the economy by providing structure, collaboration, and direction. The Vice President invited private sector organisations, development partners, and donors to contribute to the NJFP.
Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, stated that their target is to raise $220 million, not as charity but as an investment that businesses can make, which could be turned into the nation’s greatest asset.
Shettima also appealed to the European Union (EU), UNDP, and other partners to view the program as an opportunity to demonstrate that youth employment is a shared responsibility, not just a policy priority.
He noted that when resources are combined and intentions also align, it would create a multiplier effect that would benefit Nigeria’s economy. He acknowledged the continued support of the EU and UNDP, noting that their partnership could create significant achievements for the nation’s youth.
The Vice President stated that Nigeria should take the opportunity through its government bodies, private sector operators, and philanthropic organizations to ensure the youth of the country are utilised to contribute to the economy, adding that inclusivity is key to the program’s success.
Shettima said that as they expand the program to NJFP 2.0, inclusivity will be at its heart. They recognise that young people are diverse, meaning they come from different regions, social backgrounds, genders, and experiences.
Therefore, they will keep in mind that in the next phase they will reach every part of the country, focusing on industries that will be critical to the country’s economic future, such as agriculture, renewable energy, digital technology, manufacturing, and the creative industries.
Comrade Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, while speaking, mentioned that NJFP 2.0 is an ongoing government effort to empower the country’s youth.
He noted that since the program started in 2021, it has helped over 13,000 young people learn skills and pledged that the initiative will progress to the point where it will achieve its long-term goal of employing 100,000 youths in jobs over the next five years.
The UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, stated that generous funding from the European Union and UNDP’s implementation efforts over the years have helped connect talented youth with opportunities. He noted that over 40,000 Nigerians were placed across various industries. She added that millions of Nigerians will need the NFJP platform’s help to thrive in the economy.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gauthier Mignot, stated that the EU was looking forward to being part of the NJFP 2.0 program, which was integrated into the country’s governance agenda to ensure its long-term sustainability.
In his keynote speech, titled Building a National Workforce for the Future, Sterling Bank CEO Abubakar Suleiman emphasises that millions of youth can perform the jobs outsourced by foreign companies and gain access to the right opportunities, which will be made possible through the NJFP programme.
