Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) is not a duplication of job creation programmes of ministries or agencies, but offers partnership and coordination, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has said.
Speaking at the launch of the programme in Abuja, Onyejeocha explained that the LEEP programme offers partnership and coordination. She added that LEEP was designed to federate efforts across government organisations, development finance institutions and the private sector.
She noted that the LEEP was designed to expand access to sustainable employment, equip Nigerians with industry-aligned skills, stimulate entrepreneurship and economic diversification and serve as a national aggregator of real-time labour market data – helping government, investors and employers understand the evolving demands of the country’s economy.
The minister declared that, for far too long, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has been viewed primarily as a centre for conciliatory and regulatory functions and nothing else.
According to her, the ministry is now determined to change the perspective, saying the Ministry of Labour and Employment must now be seen as a central engine of job creation, a clearinghouse for labour market intelligence and a catalyst for inclusive prosperity.
She added, “Our role is not only to settle disputes but to create opportunities. Not only to protect workers, but to empower citizens with the skills and platforms they need to thrive in factories, farms, tech hubs, markets, and every corner of the national economy.
Onyejeocha explained that LEEP was conceived as a forward-thinking, results-driven programme designed to expand access to sustainable employment, equip Nigerians with industry-aligned skills, stimulate entrepreneurship and economic diversification and serve as a national aggregator of real-time labour market data, which helps government, investors, and employers understand the evolving demands of the economy.
She argued that Nigeria’s unemployment challenge is not just a statistic; it is a clear and present danger to Nigeria’s collective future. Her words: “The numbers speak for themselves. With LEEP, we are setting a clear national target to directly and indirectly create at least 2.5 million sustainable jobs within two years, while laying the foundation for long-term growth and productivity. But make no mistake, LEEP is not just a programme; it is an institutional shift. A signal that the Ministry of Labour and Employment is stepping forward to play its full constitutional role of training, upskilling, coordinating, and connecting Nigerians to meaningful work.”
She maintained that the ministry’s mandate covers the entire spectrum of the Nigerian labour force.
“Yes, we prioritise youth, women, and persons with disabilities. But our responsibility is broader. We serve the worker, regardless of age, gender, or geography. From the informal market to the formal boardroom – this is the Ministry for every Nigerian with the capacity to contribute to our nation’s development,” she added.
The minister revealed that the ministry has already begun aligning its work with industry leaders, employer groups and international partners.
While acknowledging that Nigeria’s human capital extends beyond its immediate borders, she hinted that through the comprehensive diaspora skills database, LEEP will unlock structured, secure and productive ways to harness diaspora expertise, mentorship, and investment for national development.
“Through our integrated digital platform, job seekers and employers can now connect in real-time, while training content in both vocational and digital skills is delivered to meet the demands of a dynamic, tech-driven global economy.
In his remarks, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, described the programme as a clear testament to the commitment of President Tinubu to deliver the gains of democracy and good governance to the citizens of Nigeria.
Dingyadi reiterated that unemployment is amongst the severe social problems facing the youths the world over, either directly or remotely, with far-reaching consequences.
The minister attributed unemployment in Nigeria to various reasons, including economic instability due to recessions and depressions, inadequate quality education and training to match the available jobs, as well as the difficult circumstances that businesses operate in, which are not conducive to creating new jobs.
Dingyadi said: “The Federal Government, in a deliberate effort to mitigate these challenges, has developed various policies to mitigate youth unemployment, recognising that adequate skilling and entrepreneurship are critical solutions to the problem of unemployment.”
