FG to create 20,000 jobs annually under Jubilee Fellows Programme 2.0 – Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima has announced that the Federal Government will generate at least 20,000 new jobs every year through the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP 2.0).
Speaking ahead of the programme’s official launch on October 22 in Abuja, Shettima said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by providing young graduates with practical work experience, mentorship, and entrepreneurial support.
He also inaugurated the Project Steering Committee, charging members to ensure inclusivity and deliver tangible results that improve the livelihoods of young Nigerians across the country.
The NJFP, a partnership between the Federal Government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the European Union (EU), was introduced in 2022 to bridge the gap between education and employment. So far, more than 14,000 fellows have completed its 12-month paid placement scheme.
Shettima described the programme’s second phase as a strategic move to harness the potential of Nigeria’s youth as a key engine of economic growth, stressing the importance of strong collaboration between government and international partners.
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, noted that NJFP 2.0 has been redesigned to reflect current economic realities and lessons from the initial phase.
With EU support, the new phase will deploy over 24,000 fellows within 10 months through a mix of job placements and entrepreneurship development opportunities.
Hadejia said the initiative reinforces President Tinubu’s commitment to job creation, enterprise expansion, and youth empowerment in priority sectors such as agriculture, technology, manufacturing, renewable energy, and the creative industries.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, and UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, both commended the programme as a model for inclusive growth and youth employment.
They reaffirmed the EU and UNDP’s continued partnership with Nigeria in advancing innovation, sustainable livelihoods, and opportunities for the country’s young workforce.
