FG partners EU to unveil $220m youth employment initiative
Vice President Kashim Shettima
… to equip young Nigerians with the tools needed to thrive.
… lauds the EU and UNDP for their support towards youth empowerment.
The Federal Government has unveiled a $220 million employment initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment and expanding job opportunities for young Nigerians.
The programme, known as the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme 2.0, seeks to empower graduates through structured work placements, skills development, and mentorship.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the launch on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He noted that the initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme, as part of a broader strategy to equip young Nigerians with the tools needed to thrive in today’s workforce.
According to him, the programme is designed to connect high-potential graduates with practical work experience, training, and mentorship, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in the job market.
Shettima described the initiative as a strategic step towards addressing the unemployment crisis among Nigerian youths, stressing that the government is committed to empowering a generation capable of driving innovation, productivity, and inclusive growth.
“Our goal is to bridge the transition gap between learning and earning for thousands of young Nigerians, graduates who have the education, but not always the opportunity,” the Vice President stated.
He added that the NJFP 2.0 builds on the success of the first phase, which provided paid work placements and mentorship opportunities for several young professionals across public and private sectors.
“The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme represents hope, hope that no young person will be left behind because of a lack of opportunity,” Shettima said.
“It is our pledge to build a nation where talent meets purpose, and where learning translates into livelihood,” he added.
The Vice President commended the EU and UNDP for their continued partnership in advancing youth empowerment and national development, adding that the collaboration reflects a shared vision of creating inclusive economic opportunities for Africa’s largest youth population.
Also speaking, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the NJFP 2.0 as a continuation of the Federal Government’s success in youth empowerment.
He noted that since the programme began in 2021, it has helped over 13,000 youths to gain skills.
The minister assured that the initiative will build on its progress and achieve its long-term goal of placing 100,000 youths in jobs within five years.
The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Nigeria, Ms Elsie Attafuah, said the generous funding from the EU and implementation support from the UNDP, over the years, are aimed at connecting potential to opportunity.
She noted that the vision behind the NJFP has come to light, resulting in over 40,000 Nigerians being placed in various economic sectors.
She stressed that millions of Nigerians need the NJFP platform to thrive in today’s economy.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gauthier Mignot, said the EU was looking forward to seeing the NJFP 2.0 programme integrated into Nigeria’s governance agenda to ensure its sustainability.
