The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has inaugurated the Steering Committee of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellow Programme (NJFP), as part of measures by the Federal Government to scale up its employment initiative and enhance the employability of fresh graduates with market-ready skills and competence.
NJFP, a Nigerian government initiative being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with a seed investment from the European Union (EU), was coordinated by the office of the Vice President.
It was established to address challenges confronting Nigerian graduates in accessing meaningful jobs, as well as develop, test and deploy a scalable model that would effectively assist in tackling the root causes of growing unemployment and underemployment in the country.
Speaking Monday while inaugurating the Steering Committee of the NJFP at the Presidential Villa, Shettima described the programme as a decisive step by the administration of President Bola Tinubu toward equipping Nigerian youth with the required tools to become employees, innovators and leaders in their chosen careers.
He stated: “The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme is more than just an employment initiative—it is a catalyst for broader engagement in youth-driven innovation, employability, and entrepreneurship. Programmes like these are a decisive step toward equipping our youth with the tools to become not just employees but also innovators and leaders in their respective fields.
“The NJFP has clearly made commendable progress, and it is now time to build on that foundation to provide a wider coverage through innovative adaptations that ensure that this programme does not just provide job placements but also emphasizes the development of key skills through practical, real-world applications.
“This is how we scale impact by embedding long-lasting, transformative learning experiences into the programme structure”.
Acknowledging that youth unemployment has remained a serious challenge in Nigeria, Shettima implored stakeholders and development partners to act cooperatively to combat the menace before it destabilized the nation’s future.
“Unemployment remains a critical challenge for Nigeria, and youth unemployment is an even more pressing concern.
“As a government, we fully recognize the far-reaching consequences that economic downturns have on young people.
His words: “Prolonged periods of unemployment or underemployment can hinder future income potential and significantly diminish career opportunities. This is precisely why today’s gathering is so important.
“We cannot afford to delay; we must act collectively to tackle this issue before it severely undermines our future. It is therefore with a deep sense of responsibility and urgency that I convene this inauguration of the Steering Committee for the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP).”
He explained that his office directly coordinates the NJFP and some other crucial federal government initiatives, including Human Capital Development (HCD) programme, Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) and the Expanded MSME Clinics programmes, because they are priorities for the Tinubu administration.
The NJFP, he said, was more vital because Nigeria’s future lied in the hands of the youth, adding that everything must be done within to secure their success.
He continued: “It is imperative that we focus on the long-term sustainability and scalability of the NJFP while further aligning the objectives of the programme with the overarching priorities of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“To guarantee this, we must offer all support to ensure that NJFP is not only sustained but also expanded. We will prioritize the counterpart financing to fulfill the government’s obligation and unlock more funding for the programme.”