FG Targets 20,000 Jobs Annually as Shettima Launches NJFP 2.0, Policy Dialogue

The Federal Government has unveiled the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP 2.0), setting an ambitious target of creating at least 20,000 jobs annually for young Nigerians.

Vice President Kashim Shettima will officially launch the new phase and open a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Job Creation in Abuja on Wednesday. Themed “From Skills to Jobs and Enterprises: Driving Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship in Key Economic Sectors,” the event aims to boost youth inclusion in the labour market through structured training, mentorship, and professional placements.

Ahead of the launch, Shettima on Monday inaugurated the NJFP 2.0 Steering Committee at the Presidential Villa, charging members to ensure the programme delivers measurable, nationwide results.

Coordinated by the Office of the Vice President and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from the European Union (EU), the NJFP has since 2022 empowered over 14,000 graduates through paid 12-month fellowships designed to bridge the gap between education and employment.

Shettima described the initiative as “a deliberate attempt to translate Nigeria’s demographic strength into productive economic power,” stressing that inclusivity and accountability must guide the new phase.

> “We must ensure this opportunity reaches every corner of the country,” he said, highlighting sectors such as agriculture, digital technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, and the creative industries as key areas of focus.



EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, expressed confidence that the revamped NJFP would further empower Nigerian youth, while UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, praised the Tinubu administration for prioritising youth employment.

Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said NJFP 2.0 has been redesigned to reflect lessons from the first phase and address current economic realities. He disclosed that at least 24,000 fellows would be placed over the next 10 months with EU support.

> “The goal is to sustain the deployment of a minimum of 20,000 fellows annually,” Hadejia stated. “Through NJFP 2.0, we are showing how government programmes can translate into real opportunities for decent work and enterprise creation.”



Hadejia added that each fellow would follow one of two paths, employment through professional placement or entrepreneurship through mentorship and business support.

> “The programme offers a practical response to the aspirations of young Nigerians, a generation of innovators who only need the opportunity to thrive,” he said.



The NJFP remains a cornerstone of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, reaffirming the government’s commitment to transforming youth potential into economic growth.