The federal government has announced plans to invest $220 million in creating employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
Vice President Kashim Shettima made the announcement on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during the official flag-off of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0.
The initiative, launched in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), seeks to connect young graduates with work experience, training, and mentorship opportunities.
Shettima said the program aims to bridge the transition gap between learning and earning for thousands of graduates, turning the nation’s demographic strength into economic power.
According to him, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will integrate the NJFP into national planning and budgeting frameworks to ensure sustainability.
He called on private sector partners, development organizations, and donors to join in building the NJFP Basket Fund, describing it as a sustainable financing mechanism for the program’s future.
“Our immediate goal is to raise $220 million, not as charity, but as an investment in the nation’s most valuable asset — our young people,” the vice president said.
Shettima emphasized that inclusivity would remain central to NJFP 2.0, with placements aligned to key sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, digital technology, manufacturing, and the creative industries.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the program had already benefited over 13,000 youths since its inception in 2021 and aims to reach 100,000 within five years.
UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, said the program had connected over 40,000 Nigerians with economic opportunities, while EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gauthier Mignot, expressed the EU’s commitment to integrating the NJFP into Nigeria’s governance system.
In his keynote address, Sterling Bank CEO, Abubakar Suleiman, urged stakeholders to support initiatives that help millions of capable Nigerians transition from education to employment.
The NJFP 2.0 marks a renewed effort by the federal government and its partners to empower young Nigerians through structured work experiences and long-term job creation.
