The Federal Government has announced plans to create no fewer than 20,000 jobs annually through the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP 2.0).
Vice President Kashim Shettima made the announcement on Monday during the inauguration of the Project Steering Committee for the initiative at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The move precedes the official launch of NJFP 2.0 and the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Job Creation scheduled for Wednesday.
According to a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, the NJFP aims to equip young graduates with hands-on experience, mentorship, and entrepreneurship training.
Shettima noted that the programme, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the European Union (EU), aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda focused on youth empowerment and job creation.
He recalled that the first edition of the programme, launched in 2022, benefited over 14,000 young Nigerians who completed paid 12-month fellowships across both public and private sectors.
“This programme is a deliberate attempt to transform our demographic strength into productive economic power. When government provides structure, partnership, and purpose, young Nigerians rise to the occasion,” Shettima said.
In his remarks, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, disclosed that the new phase of NJFP will place at least 24,000 fellows over the next 10 months, offering two career pathways — professional employment or entrepreneurship support.
He added that the long-term plan is to sustain the deployment of 20,000 fellows annually, ensuring that the programme directly contributes to job FG unveils second phase of Jubilee Fellows Programme, targets 20,000 jobs yearly creation and skills development nationwide.
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“The NJFP 2.0 supports President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by demonstrating how government initiatives can translate into real opportunities for decent work and enterprise creation for young Nigerians,” Hadejia said.
The Vice President urged members of the steering committee to ensure that the programme reflects Nigeria’s diversity by reaching all regions and communities.
“In scaling NJFP 2.0, inclusivity must remain at the heart of our design,” Shettima stressed. “We must ensure that this opportunity reaches every corner of the country — particularly in sectors shaping our future such as agriculture, digital technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, and the creative industries.”
The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, first launched in 2022, is a collaborative initiative between the Federal Government, the UNDP, and the EU, designed to provide young Nigerian graduates with the tools and experience to thrive in the job market.