The Federal Government has announced plans to invest $220 million in creating job opportunities for young Nigerians through the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0 — a partnership with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during the formal flag-off of the second phase of the NJFP. The programme aims to connect high-potential graduates with practical work experience, training, and mentorship.
Shettima said the initiative is designed to bridge the transition gap between learning and earning, providing thousands of graduates with real opportunities to build sustainable careers.
“Our goal is to translate Nigeria’s demographic strength into productive economic power,” he said. “When government provides structure, partnership, and purpose, young Nigerians rise to the occasion.”
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The Vice President emphasized that the Tinubu administration is embedding the NJFP into national planning and budgeting frameworks to ensure long-term sustainability.
He added that the Federal Government’s immediate target is to raise $220 million through a Basket Fund, which will attract support from the private sector, development partners, and donors.
“This is not charity,” Shettima said. “It’s an investment in our nation’s most valuable asset — our young people.”
He urged partners to view youth employment as a shared responsibility, noting that collaboration remains key to building a stronger economy.
The Vice President also highlighted that inclusivity will define the new phase of the NJFP, ensuring equal opportunities across regions and demographics. The programme will focus on critical sectors including agriculture, renewable energy, digital technology, manufacturing, and the creative industries.
“The young Nigerians we seek to serve are not asking for handouts — only for a fair system that rewards merit and provides opportunity,” Shettima added.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the programme has empowered over 13,000 youths since its inception in 2021, with plans to place 100,000 young people in jobs within five years.
The UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, commended the collaboration, noting that over 40,000 Nigerians have already benefited from NJFP placements in various economic sectors.
Also speaking, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gauthier Mignot, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting the programme’s integration into Nigeria’s governance system for sustainability.
Delivering a keynote address titled “Building a National Workforce for the Future,” the CEO of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, said millions of Nigerians can perform outsourced jobs if provided with the right opportunities and enabling environment.
The NJFP 2.0 marks a renewed push by the Federal Government to tackle youth unemployment and position Nigeria’s young workforce for global competitiveness.
