The Federal Government has set a target to create at least 20,000 jobs annually through the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP 2.0), a youth empowerment initiative designed to equip graduates with practical work experience, training, and mentorship.
Vice President Kashim Shettima will on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, flag off the NJFP 2.0 and declare open a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Job Creation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The dialogue, themed “From Skills to Jobs and Enterprises: Driving Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship in Key Economic Sectors,” will bring together policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners to explore strategies for tackling unemployment and promoting enterprise growth.
Ahead of the launch, the Vice President on Monday inaugurated the Project Steering Committee for the NJFP 2.0, charging members to ensure inclusivity and tangible outcomes that reflect the programme’s national reach and developmental goals.
Shettima said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises job creation, skills development, and youth empowerment. He noted that the NJFP seeks to bridge the gap between learning and earning, helping graduates transition into meaningful careers.
“The NJFP represents a deliberate attempt to translate our demographic strength into productive economic power,” the Vice President said. “In scaling NJFP 2.0, inclusivity must remain at the heart of our design. We must ensure that this opportunity reaches every corner of the country.”
The NJFP, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the European Union (EU), was launched in 2022 and has so far empowered over 14,000 young Nigerians through 12-month paid fellowships.
In its second phase, the programme aims to place at least 24,000 fellows over the next 10 months, with two distinct pathways — one leading to employment through extended placements, and the other to entrepreneurship through mentorship and business support.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, expressed optimism that the programme would transform the lives of Nigerian youths, while UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, described NJFP 2.0 as part of a broader national and continental vision for job creation.
