FG to invest $220m in job creation for young Nigerians

By Kunle Sanni –

The Federal Government has announced plans to invest $220 million in creating job opportunities for young Nigerians under the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0 — a partnership with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aimed at equipping graduates with practical work experience, training, and mentorship.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who formally launched the programme on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the initiative is designed to “bridge the transition gap between learning and earning” for thousands of graduates.

According to him, the second phase of the NJFP would help translate Nigeria’s demographic strength into economic power. “Our immediate goal is to raise $220 million, not as charity, but as an investment in the nation’s most valuable asset — our young people,” Shettima said.

“When government provides structure, partnership, and purpose, young Nigerians rise to the occasion.”

The Vice President explained that the Tinubu administration plans to embed the NJFP into the government’s national planning and budgeting framework, making it a sustainable part of Nigeria’s job creation agenda.

He urged the private sector, donor agencies, and development partners to join the NJFP Basket Fund, a financing mechanism designed to sustain the programme’s future.

Shettima also stressed the importance of inclusivity, noting that the next phase of the programme will prioritize sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, digital technology, manufacturing, and the creative industries.

“We recognise that our young people are not a single story. They live in different realities, across regions, genders, and social backgrounds. Therefore, this next phase will intentionally reach every corner of the country,” he said.