The Federal Government has announced plans to invest $220 million in creating sustainable employment opportunities for young Nigerians through the launch of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0, a strategic collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this last ,Wednesday at the official flag-off of NJFP 2.0 held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He explained that the programme is designed to bridge the transition gap between learning and earning for thousands of Nigerian graduates by connecting them to real-world work experience, training, and mentorship.
According to the Vice President, the initiative is aimed at transforming Nigeria’s youthful population into a productive economic force, driven by structured partnerships and purposeful investment.
“Our goal is to bridge the transition gap between learning and earning for thousands of young Nigerians – graduates who have the education, but not always the opportunity,” he stated. “This programme will demonstrate that when government provides structure, partnership, and purpose, young Nigerians rise to the occasion.”
Shettima reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to embedding the NJFP into the national planning and budgeting framework to ensure long-term sustainability and national ownership.
“This government will do its part by ensuring that our financial commitment to the programme reflects our belief in its transformative potential. But national ownership must also mean national participation,” he added.
He called on private sector players, development partners, and the donor community to join hands with government in building a “NJFP Basket Fund”—a sustainably financing mechanism for the programme’s continuity.
“Our immediate goal is to raise $220 million, not as charity, but as an investment in the nation’s most valuable asset: our young people,” he emphasised.
The Vice President commended the European Union and the UNDP for their unwavering support, noting that their collaboration reflects a shared belief in the potential of
Nigerian youth.
He further assured that the second phase of the NJFP would prioritise inclusivity and nationwide reach.
“Inclusivity remains at the heart of our design.
We recognise that our young people live in different realities across regions, genders, and social backgrounds. Therefore, this next phase will intentionally reach every corner of the country, aligning placements with sectors that will define our economic future – agriculture, renewable energy, digital technology, manufacturing, and the creative industries,” he noted.
Also speaking, the Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, described NJFP 2.0 as a continuation of the government’s commitment to youth empowerment. He revealed that since its inception in 2021, the programme has benefited over 13,000 Nigerian youths, and aims to place 100,000 youths in jobs within five years.
In her remarks, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, commended the partnership’s impact, noting that the initiative has already placed over 40,000 Nigerians in various economic sectors.
She added that millions more stand to benefit from the NJFP platform in today’s rapidly evolving economy.
Similarly, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gauthier Mignot, expressed optimism that NJFP 2.0 will be fully integrated into Nigeria’s governance agenda, ensuring its sustainability and lasting impact.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Building a National Workforce for the Future,” the CEO of Sterling Bank, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, emphasised the need to empower Nigerian graduates with opportunities that will allow them to compete globally.
He noted that millions of Nigerians have the capacity to perform jobs currently outsourced abroad, provided they are given the right platforms and training.
The NJFP 2.0 represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward inclusive economic growth, youth empowerment, and national productivity.
