By Peter Dansu The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to create at least 20,000 jobs annually through the launch of the seco...
The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to create at least 20,000 jobs annually through the launch of the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP), a flagship youth employment and empowerment initiative designed to connect talented graduates with real-world work experience, training, and mentorship.
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the official launch in Abuja, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said the programme, tagged NJFP 2.0, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects his administration’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment and boosting national productivity.
Vice President Kashim Shettima will officially flag off the NJFP 2.0 on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. The event will also feature a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Job Creation, themed “From Skills to Jobs and Enterprises: Driving Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship in Key Economic Sectors.”
Hadejia explained that the upgraded NJFP offers a 12-month paid fellowship, placing qualified graduates in both public and private sector organisations with a monthly stipend of ₦150,000. The initiative, he said, equips young Nigerians with vital skills and practical work experience, helping to bridge the gap between education and employment.
“This administration is not just focused on policy, but on real impact. Through NJFP 2.0, we are demonstrating how government programmes can translate into tangible opportunities for decent work and enterprise creation,” Hadejia stated.
He noted that the second phase has been redesigned to reflect current economic realities and lessons from the first phase. Over 24,000 fellows are expected to be placed within the next 10 months, with support from the European Union (EU) and implementation by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The Vice President, who inaugurated the programme’s Project Steering Committee on Monday, urged members to ensure inclusivity and measurable outcomes nationwide.
“The NJFP is a deliberate attempt to translate our demographic strength into productive economic power,” Shettima said. “As we scale up NJFP 2.0, inclusivity must remain at its core. We must ensure this opportunity reaches every corner of Nigeria and aligns with key growth sectors, agriculture, digital technology, renewable energy, manufacturing, and the creative industries.”
He added that the programme offers two major pathways, employment through professional placements, and entrepreneurship through mentorship and enterprise support, ensuring every participant is empowered to either secure a job or build a viable business by the end of the fellowship.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, expressed optimism that NJFP 2.0 would significantly impact youth employment, while UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, commended the Tinubu administration for prioritising young people in national development.
Since its inception in 2022, the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme has already empowered over 14,000 young Nigerians, providing them with paid work placements and professional mentorship, a foundation the second phase now seeks to expand.
“The NJFP is more than a programme; it is a promise, a promise to transform skills into jobs, ideas into enterprises, and hope into measurable results,” Hadejia affirmed.
For more information on how to apply follow this link https://www.njfp.ng/#programme-design
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