FG targets 20,000 jobs as Shettima flags off NJFP policy dialogue
The federal government has announced plans to create at least 20,000 jobs annually through the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP), designed to connect young graduates with practical work experience, training, and mentorship opportunities. Vice President Kashim Shettima will on Wednesday flag off NJFP 2.0 and declare open a High-Level Policy Dialogue […]
The federal government has announced plans to create at least 20,000 jobs annually through the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP), designed to connect young graduates with practical work experience, training, and mentorship opportunities.
Vice President Kashim Shettima will on Wednesday flag off NJFP 2.0 and declare open a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Job Creation, themed “From Skills to Jobs and Enterprises: Driving Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship in Key Economic Sectors.”
Ahead of the official launch, Shettima on Monday inaugurated the Project Steering Committee of NJFP 2.0, charging members to ensure the programme’s inclusivity and nationwide reach.
The NJFP, a flagship Federal Government initiative 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 programme seeks to bridge the gap between skills, jobs, and enterprise. It has so far empowered over 14,000 young Nigerians through 12-month paid fellowships that provide work experience, confidence, and long-term career opportunities.
While inaugurating the Steering Committee, Shettima said the NJFP aims to bridge the “transition gap between learning and earning” for thousands of qualified graduates without job opportunities.
He described the initiative as “a deliberate effort to convert the nation’s demographic strength into productive economic power,” adding that “when government provides structure, partnership, and purpose, young Nigerians rise to the occasion.”
Reaffirming that the NJFP is “a Nigerian programme shaped by national priorities,” the Vice President urged committee members to deepen local ownership, strengthen institutional coordination, and ensure accountability to the administration’s job creation goals.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, expressed optimism that the programme would transform the lives of young Nigerians, noting that continued government support would maximize its full potential.
Similarly, UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, described NJFP 2.0 as part of a broader national and continental vision to create sustainable employment, adding that UNDP remains committed to building a robust job-creation ecosystem across Nigeria.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said the Vice President would also open the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Job Creation at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the dialogue would bring together federal and state policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners to deliberate on practical strategies for job creation, enterprise support, and aligning youth skills with Nigeria’s economic priorities.