FG launches NJFP 2.0 to create 20,000 jobs yearly, empowering young Nigerians through paid fellowships and entrepreneurship support

The Federal Government has announced plans to create at least 20,000 jobs annually under the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP 2.0), aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical work experience and entrepreneurial skills.

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Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while inaugurating the Project Steering Committee for NJFP 2.0 ahead of its formal launch and the High-Level Policy Dialogue on Job Creation scheduled for Wednesday.

The initiative, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from the European Union (EU), aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda focused on youth empowerment and economic transformation.

Shettima said NJFP 2.0 builds on the success of the first edition launched in 2022, which empowered over 14,000 young Nigerians through paid 12-month fellowships in both the public and private sectors.

He described the programme as “a deliberate attempt to translate the nation’s demographic strength into productive economic power,” adding that it demonstrates how structured partnerships can unlock youth potential for national growth.

Speaking earlier, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, said the new phase would place 24,000 fellows over the next 10 months, with opportunities for either professional employment or entrepreneurship support.

He explained that the government’s long-term goal is to sustain the deployment of at least 20,000 fellows each year, emphasising that the initiative “shows that this administration is focused not just on policy but on impact.”

“Through NJFP 2.0, we are demonstrating how government programmes can translate into real opportunities for decent work and enterprise creation for young Nigerians,” Hadejia said.

Vice President Shettima, while charging the steering committee members, underscored the need for inclusivity in implementing the programme, ensuring it reflects Nigeria’s diversity and reaches every part of the country.

He urged them to focus on meaningful outcomes, stating:

“We must ensure that this opportunity reaches every corner of the country — and that placements are tied to the sectors that will shape Nigeria’s future: agriculture, digital technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, and the creative industries.”

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Shettima added that NJFP 2.0 offers an opportunity to demonstrate effective collaboration among government, development partners, and the private sector in creating sustainable employment and reducing youth unemployment across Nigeria.