The Federal Government of Nigeria has set a target to create at least 20,000 jobs every year through the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0, a youth empowerment initiative designed to connect young graduates with real-world work experience, mentorship, and training opportunities.
Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this during the inauguration of the NJFP 2.0 Project Steering Committee at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The programme, coordinated by the Office of the Vice President, is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the European Union (EU).
Launched in 2022, the NJFP aims to bridge the gap between skills, jobs, and enterprise development. It has already empowered more than 14,000 young Nigerians through 12-month paid fellowships that provide professional experience, confidence, and long-term career opportunities.
According to Mediaplusng.com, Vice President Shettima said the programme is part of the government’s plan to turn Nigeria’s growing youth population into productive economic power. He noted that the initiative helps bridge the transition gap between learning and earning for thousands of graduates with the right education but limited job prospects.
Shettima described the NJFP as a truly Nigerian initiative, guided by national priorities and the government’s vision for inclusive growth. He urged the committee to focus on tangible results and ensure that all young Nigerians—regardless of region, gender, or background—benefit from the programme.
> “Our young people live in different realities across the country,” Shettima said. “We must ensure this opportunity reaches every corner of Nigeria, especially sectors that will define our future—agriculture, digital technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, and the creative industries.”
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, assured that the EU will continue to support the programme, emphasizing that the NJFP 2.0 will transform lives and strengthen Nigeria’s workforce.
Similarly, UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, said the new phase of the initiative forms part of a broader effort to build a national ecosystem that creates sustainable jobs. She commended Vice President Shettima for his leadership, noting that young Nigerians only need access to opportunities and an enabling environment to thrive.
In his remarks, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said the NJFP 2.0 builds on the success of the first phase and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes job creation, skills development, and youth empowerment.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the second phase has been redesigned to meet current economic realities and lessons learned from the first phase. It aims to deploy at least 24,000 fellows across Nigeria over the next 10 months with the support of the European Union.
