NJFP 2.0: When FG, Lagos Government, EU, UNDP, others met to discuss, proffer solutions to rising unemployment in Nigeria

The Ballroom of Oriental Hotel, Victorial Island, Lagos was filled to the brim on Thursday, 14 May, 2026 as representatives of the Nigerian Government, Lagos State Government, European Union (UN), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), leading private sector organisations, fellows and other important stakeholders met for the second edition of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) Employers’ Forum (NJFP 2.0). 

NJFP is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The just concluded edition was themed: “Building a National Workforce for the Future”.

The programme was set up to address the rising rate of unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria by connecting talented Nigerian graduates with local opportunities in host organizations for 12 months, providing them with hands-on training, skills development, coaching, and mentoring.

Since 2021, the NJFP has placed 21,611 graduates (Phase 1: 15,488 and Phase 2: 6,124) in structured workplace learning across 4,914 vetted host organizations, The programme has reached all 36 states plus FCT, with 43% female participation.

Declaring the Forum open, Vice President, Kashim Shettima whose office coordinates the Programme said government initiated the programme to bridge widening gaps between employers and employees while making arrangements for acquisition of requisite workplace skills.

“It is common for employers to say we can’t hire you because you don’t have skills. But again, you can’t have skills if you don’t have a job,” he said.

“So, it is a chicken and egg situation. But government recognises that we can’t continue to leave things that way. So, it is important to then solve that by having a fellowship programme where we prepare young people for the place of work.

“That is why government has prioritised this programme and it’s part of its commitment to youth development and workforce development in Nigeria,” Shettima who was represented by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, Office of the Vice-President, Akubo Adegbe said.

Adegbe while commenting on feedbacks on the Fellows Programme in an exclusive interview with NewsClick Nigeria said it has been positive.

“I think the feedback has been great, in the sense that for employers, the real feedback from them is the fact that it shortens the time it normally takes for them to hire the right talents. So the program prepares these graduates, they go through the Computer Based Tests, the biometric, the video evidence, the psychometric analysis, and they are job ready. So by the time an employer takes them, they are actually now work ready, and all they need to do is gain experience.”

In his special address, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, ably represented by Chairman, Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas highlighted the government’s commitment to youth employment and private sector collaboration.

He commended the European Union for its sustained funding, and commitment to Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation. The Governor also applauded the UNDP for excellent delivery of the entrusted mandate.

“I commend the European Union for its sustained funding and its commitment to Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation. I equally commend UNDP Nigeria for the excellence of its implementation and applaud every employer in this forum today. Your presence here is not ceremonial, it is an act of patriotism.

“By hosting fellows, offering mentorship and opening your organisations to Nigeria’s graduates, you are making a direct investment in the human capital that will power this nation’s next chapter,” he said.

Minister of Education, Moruf Alausa in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by Prof Mayowa Falae highlighted the intervention roles NJFP has played since inception describing it as strategic.

“The Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme remains a strategic intervention designed to support graduates as they navigate increasingly complex labour markets and transition into meaningful employment opportunities. The Programme serves as a critical bridge between talented Nigerian graduates and work opportunities within both public and private sector organisations across the country. By providing practical experience, strengthening employability skills, and preparing a future-ready workforce, NJFP continues to play a vital role in addressing youth unemployment and promoting inclusive economic growth.”

Earlier in her welcome address, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, emphasized the importance of sustained partnerships in driving inclusive economic growth.

Elsie said the presence of associations, financial institutions, technology firms, manufacturers, agribusinesses, and innovation ecosystem actors here sends a strong signal that workforce transformation is increasingly being recognized as a shared national responsibility and a shared economic opportunity.

“This Employers’ Forum is therefore important not only because of the commitments it seeks to mobilize for NJFP placements, but because it represents a broader platform for strengthening long-term partnership between talent development, enterprise growth, and economic transformation in Nigeria.

“The participation of major employers, MSMEs, industry associations, financial institutions, technology firms, manufacturers, agribusinesses, and innovation ecosystem actors here today sends a strong signal that workforce transformation is increasingly being recognized as a shared national responsibility and a shared economic opportunity,” she said.

In her remarks, The Head of Section Green and Digital Economy at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowicz reaffirmed the EU’s support for Nigeria’s workforce development efforts.

She expressed delight in supporting initiatives delivering tangible results for youths and businesses.

Inga stated that such platform not only address unemployment but strengthening foundations for sustainable economic growth.

“The European Union is proud to support initiatives like NJFP that deliver tangible results for young people and for businesses.

“By equipping graduates with relevant skills and connecting them to real workplace opportunities, we are not only addressing unemployment, but we are also strengthening the foundations for sustainable economic growth.” She said.

Highlight of the Forum was testimonials from fellows and alumni of the Fellowship, explosive panel sessions, job fair networking and recognition ceremony for outstanding host organisations.