FG launches labour and empowerment program, targets creating 2.5 million jobs in two years 

Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, officially launched the LEEP at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, giving more insights on the program.

This was disclosed in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President) on 15th April 2025.

Naijaonpoint previously reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his Independence Day speech on October 1, 2024, revealed that the federal government would launch the Renewed Hope Labour LEEP, which is expected to create 2.5 million jobs.

“LEEP is the fulfilment of the promise made by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to build a national ecosystem where every Nigerian worker can reach their full potential and where technology enhances, not threatens, our labour market,” he added.  

 “The Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme, LEEP, is a well-considered response to a pressing national need.  

“As jobs become increasingly vulnerable to technological disruption, our duty is not to lament but to prepare. LEEP aims to provide comprehensive training that equips our people with the right skills to compete and contribute to today’s global economy. 

“This intervention isn’t just about creating jobs. It is about transformation. LEEP targets all sectors of the economy, including the expanding Gig economy, and leverages technology to connect employers with a skilled and ready workforce,” he added. 

“LEEP was carefully articulated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment in collaboration with its parastatals to, among other goals, equip young Nigerians with employability skills in the bid to create wealth and contribute to the economic development of the country by creating 2.5 million jobs in two years,” the official stated. 

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had, in March 2025, launched the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) as part of the federal government’s effort to address Nigeria’s low human capital index ranking, unemployment, and other barriers.

This development comes even as the unemployment rate in Nigeria decreased to 4.3% in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting a 1-percentage-point drop from the 5.3% recorded in Q1 2024.