THE Federal Government has announced plans to generate at least 20,000 jobs annually through the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP 2.0)—a flagship youth empowerment initiative designed to equip high-performing graduates with work experience, training, and mentorship opportunities.
Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this today during the inauguration of the NJFP 2.0 Project Steering Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Shettima, the programme seeks to close the “learning-to-earning” gap faced by many Nigerian graduates and transform the country’s youthful population into a productive economic force.
“The NJFP reflects a deliberate effort to translate our demographic strength into economic power. When government provides structure and partnership, young Nigerians always rise to the occasion,” he said.
Reaffirming that the initiative is fully Nigerian-driven and aligned with national priorities, the Vice President urged the committee to deepen collaboration among key institutions and ensure that NJFP remains accountable to its mission.
He also emphasized the importance of inclusivity, stating that beneficiaries should be drawn from across regions, genders, and social groups, with placements tailored to strategic sectors such as agriculture, digital technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, and the creative industries.
He added, “Let’s not focus on figures alone, but on real outcomes — young people whose lives are transformed because the system works as intended.”
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, pledged the EU’s continued support for the programme, describing it as a transformative tool for Nigerian youth.
Similarly, UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, noted that NJFP 2.0 aligns with a broader national and continental vision to foster job creation and skill development, commending the Vice President’s leadership in sustaining the initiative.
Earlier, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, explained that NJFP 2.0 was redesigned to reflect current economic realities while building on the success of the first phase.
He stated that the programme aims to place at least 24,000 fellows over the next 10 months with EU funding support, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes job creation, skills training, and youth empowerment.
The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, launched in 2022 and coordinated by the Office of the Vice President in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU), has already benefited over 14,000 young Nigerians through 12-month paid fellowships.
The initiative continues to serve as a bridge between academic learning and practical employment, offering young graduates the confidence and experience needed to thrive in the workforce.