The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, Mr.Akubo Adegbe, has said that Nigeria’s greatest challenge is not a shortage of talent but limited access to opportunities for young people to develop and showcase their potential.

It said that the Federal Government remains committed to creating opportunities for young Nigerians through strategic partnerships involving government institutions, employers and development organisations.

Adegbe disclosed this in Abuja, during the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0 Nasarawa Employer and Fellow Engagement at the headquarters of the Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA) in Lafia.

The engagement brought together employers, government representatives, development partners and young professionals in a bid to strengthen workforce development, improve employer participation and accelerate fellowship placements across Nasarawa State.

Adegbe said: “Nigeria does not have a talent deficit; it has an opportunity deficit. Across Nasarawa State and indeed across the country, there are talented young people with the intelligence, creativity, and determination to succeed.

“What many need is access to opportunity, workplace experience, professional networks, and the confidence that comes from being trusted to contribute.

“Programmes such as NJFP help bridge that gap and demonstrate what is possible when government, employers, and development partners work together to invest in human capital and economic growth.”

The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The programme seeks to address youth unemployment and underemployment by connecting talented Nigerian graduates with structured workplace opportunities that provide practical experience, skills development, coaching and mentoring.

Nigeria continues to face a significant workforce transition challenge, with more than 600,000 graduates entering the labour market annually while many employers report persistent gaps in workplace readiness.

Through state-level engagements such as this, NJFP is helping to bridge the gap between education and employment by creating stronger connections between employers and young talent.

The Head of the Inclusive Growth Unit, UNDP Nigeria and NJFP Programme Lead, Clare Henshaw, highlighted the importance of strengthening local workforce ecosystems through collaboration.

Henshaw said: “Workforce development happens where opportunity meets talent. This engagement provides a platform for employers and fellows to connect directly, discuss workforce needs, and identify pathways for placement, mentorship, and professional growth.

“Our goal is to ensure that talented young Nigerians have access to meaningful opportunities while helping employers build the workforce they need to grow and succeed.”

Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Nasarawa State Information Technology and Digital Economy Agency (NASITDEA), Mr. Haruna Sani Sani, commended the impact of the programme on both the agency and the state’s broader development agenda.

Sani said: “The Government of Nasarawa State remains committed to creating opportunities that enable our young people to thrive. Through our participation in the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, we have witnessed firsthand the value that fellows bring to public institutions.

“Their innovation, professionalism, digital skills, and fresh perspectives have contributed meaningfully to our work and strengthened our capacity to deliver

results. We look forward to expanding these opportunities and continuing our partnership with NJFP to empower more young people across the state.”