The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to create at least 20,000 jobs every year through the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0.

NJFP, is a flagship initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and workplace readiness among Nigerian youths.

Vice – President, Kashim Shettima will officially launch NJFP 2.0 and open a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Job Creation today, Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja tagged, “From Skills to Jobs and Enterprises: Driving Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship in Key Economic Sectors”.

The dialogue seeks to craft actionable strategies to address rising youth unemployment.

In preparation for the launch, Vice President Shettima had inaugurated the NJFP 2.0 Project Steering Committee, urging members to deliver inclusive and measurable outcomes that benefit young Nigerians nationwide.

“This programme is a deliberate attempt to convert our demographic strength into economic productivity,” Shettima said.

“We must ensure that every region feels the impact and that placements focus on sectors driving Nigeria’s future — agriculture, digital tech, renewable energy, manufacturing, and the creative economy.”

Coordinated by the Office of the Vice President and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), NJFP receives funding support from the European Union (EU).

Since its inception in 2022, the initiative has provided over 14,000 young Nigerians with paid fellowships, enhancing their professional competencies and workplace confidence.

Describing NJFP as a “Nigerian-owned solution” aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Shettima said the programme focuses on job creation, youth empowerment, and national development.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, reaffirmed the EU’s support for NJFP, expressing optimism about its potential to transform young lives and drive economic development.

Similarly, UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, lauded the programme as a vital part of national and African efforts to curb unemployment.

She commended Vice President Shettima for his leadership and pledged UNDP’s continued support for a robust youth empowerment ecosystem.

Speaking on the programme’s scale-up, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, revealed that NJFP 2.0 aims to place at least 24,000 fellows in just 10 months. Each participant will pursue one of two distinct pathways, employment or entrepreneurship.

“NJFP 2.0 is a practical demonstration of impact-driven governance. It shows how structured programmes can deliver real opportunities for decent work and business creation,” he said.

The High-Level Policy Dialogue will convene policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa to explore how best to align youth skills development with the country’s economic priorities.

As NJFP 2.0 rolls out, the Federal Government positions it as a cornerstone initiative for transforming skills into jobs, turning ideas into enterprises, and translating hope into measurable progress.