The Federal Government has unveiled plans to create at least 20,000 jobs annually through the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP 2.0) an initiative designed to connect high-potential graduates with work experience, training, and mentorship opportunities.
Vice President Kashim Shettima will officially flag off the programme on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, in Abuja, where he will also 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 event, Shettima on Monday inaugurated the NJFP 2.0 Project Steering Committee, charging members to ensure inclusivity and nationwide reach of the initiative.
The NJFP, coordinated by the Office of the Vice President, is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the European Union (EU). Since its launch in 2022, the programme has empowered over 14,000 young Nigerians through 12-month paid fellowships aimed at bridging the gap between education and employment.
Speaking at the inauguration, Shettima said the NJFP was designed to “bridge the transition gap between learning and earning” and to transform Nigeria’s youth population into a productive economic force.
He added, “In scaling NJFP 2.0, inclusivity must remain at the heart of our design. Our young people live in different realities across regions, genders, and social backgrounds. We must ensure that this opportunity reaches every corner of the country especially in sectors that will shape Nigeria’s future such as agriculture, digital technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, and the creative industries.”
The Vice President urged the committee to focus on tangible outcomes that change lives, stressing that government must lead with clarity and purpose while fostering strong partnerships with the private sector.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, expressed optimism that the programme would transform the lives of young Nigerians, while UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, described NJFP 2.0 as part of a larger national and continental vision to create sustainable jobs.
Earlier, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, explained that the new phase of the NJFP has been redesigned to address current economic realities and build on lessons from the first phase.
According to him, NJFP 2.0 will place at least 24,000 fellows over the next 10 months, supported by EU funding. The initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes job creation, skills development, and youth empowerment as key drivers of economic transformation.
Hadejia further noted that the NJFP 2.0 introduces two clear pathways for fellows a pathway to employment through extended placements and a pathway to entrepreneurship through mentorship and enterprise support.
“The NJFP is a bold and practical response to the aspirations of young Nigerians a generation of innovators who only need opportunity to thrive,” he said. “Through this initiative, the government is translating policy into real opportunities for decent work, enterprise creation, and lasting hope.”
