The Federal Government has unveiled plans to invest $220 million in creating job opportunities for youngsters through the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0.

The initiative, being implemented in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to connect high-potential graduates with practical work experience, mentorship, and training opportunities.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who launched the programme yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the government’s goal is to bridge the transition gap “between learning and earning” for thousands of young graduates who have the education but lack opportunities.

According to him, the initiative will help translate Nigeria’s demographic strength into productive economic power.
“When government provides structure, partnership, and purpose, young Nigerians rise to the occasion,” Shettima said.

He stressed that while the NJFP is a Nigerian initiative aligned with national priorities, Tinubu’s administration is determined to deepen ownership by embedding it into government planning and budgeting frameworks.

“This government will do its part by ensuring that our financial commitment reflects our belief in the programme’s transformative potential. But national ownership must also mean national participation,” he stated, adding: “As we launch NJFP 2.0 today (yesterday), I call on our partners, from the private sector, the development community, and the donor ecosystem, to join us in building the NJFP Basket Fund, a sustainable financing mechanism to secure the programme’s future.

Our immediate goal is to raise $220 million, not as charity, but as an investment in our most valuable asset: our young people.”

Shettima urged the EU, UNDP, and other partners to see the launch as proof that youth employment is not just a government priority but a shared responsibility.

Acknowledging the contributions of the EU and UNDP, the Vice President said their support demonstrates what can be achieved through meaningful collaboration.

“As we scale NJFP 2.0, inclusivity remains at the heart of our design,” he added. Shettima continued: “We recognise that our young people are not a single story; they live in different realities across regions, genders, and social backgrounds. This phase will intentionally reach every corner of the country, aligning placements with key sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, digital technology, manufacturing, and the creative industries.” He expressed optimism that the programme’s second phase would transform Nigeria’s youth potential into economic strength.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the NJFP 2.0 as a continuation of the government’s success in youth empowerment, noting that since its inception in 2021, over 13,000 young Nigerians have benefited from skills and job placements. He added that the programme aims to reach 100,000 youths within five years.

In her remarks, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, said the EU’s funding and UNDP’s implementation support are helping to connect potential to opportunity, with more than 40,000 Nigerians already placed in various sectors.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gauthier Mignot, said the bloc looks forward to seeing the NJFP 2.0 integrated into Nigeria’s governance agenda for sustainability.

Delivering the keynote address titled “Building a National Workforce for the Future,” CEO of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, said millions of Nigerians can perform jobs currently outsourced abroad if given opportunities like those provided under the NJFP.

He urged government and partners to ensure sustained support for the initiative, saying this would help many graduates transition into productive employment.