The Federal Government has unveiled plans to invest $220 million to create employment opportunities for young Nigerians under the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima made this known on Wednesday during the launch of the programme’s second phase at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to connect high-potential graduates with practical work experience, mentorship, and essential training.
Shettima said the programme is designed to bridge the gap between learning and earning, helping thousands of graduates who possess education but lack opportunities.
“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,” he said.
He added that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to institutionalising the programme by embedding it into national planning and budgeting systems.
Call for National and Global Collaboration
The Vice-President called on the private sector, development partners, and donors to contribute to the NJFP Basket Fund — a sustainable financing model for securing the programme’s future.
He emphasised the importance of inclusivity, noting that the programme will reach all regions and align job placements with key sectors such as:
Agriculture
Renewable energy
Digital technology
Manufacturing
Creative industries
“Young Nigerians are not asking for handouts — only for a fair system that recognises effort, rewards merit, and provides opportunity. They are ready to build if we are ready to back them,” Shettima added.
Programme Impact and Future Targets
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described NJFP 2.0 as a continuation of the government’s efforts to empower young people. He said the first phase, launched in 2021, has equipped over 13,000 youths with meaningful skills.
He added that the long-term goal of NJFP 2.0 is to place 100,000 young Nigerians in jobs within five years.
UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms Elsie Attafuah, noted that over 40,000 fellows have already been placed across various sectors through EU funding and UNDP support.
She stressed that millions of young Nigerians still require platforms like NJFP to thrive in the modern economy.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gauthier Mignot, expressed the EU’s commitment to supporting the programme and its integration into Nigeria’s governance framework to ensure sustainability.
