Lafia: The Federal Government has announced that the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) is aiming to engage 23,724 young graduates across the country in its second phase. This initiative seeks to bridge the gap between academic learning and workplace experience while providing employers with access to skilled manpower. Mr. Akubo Adegbe, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination in the Office of the Vice President and Focal Person for the NJFP, shared this information during an Employer and Fellow Engagement event in Lafia on Tuesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adegbe highlighted the programme as a national workforce development initiative designed to tackle the issue of graduate unemployment, which stems from a lack of work experience. The NJFP offers young Nigerians 12-month workplace placements where they can gain practical experience, mentorship, and opportunities to showcase their abilities. The Federal Government maintains that Nigeria faces an opportunity deficit rather than a talent deficit.
Adegbe explained that the programme provides young people with the chance to work for 12 months, earn a monthly stipend of N150,000, and acquire the skills necessary to remain employable. He emphasized that the NJFP is not just a federal initiative but a national intervention aimed at helping states enhance their workforce capabilities. The programme is coordinated by the Office of the Vice President, funded by the European Union, and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The government plans to sustain the programme by deploying at least 20,000 fellows annually nationwide. Efforts are underway to establish a National Basket Fund through contributions from the federal government, development partners, and sub-national governments to ensure the programme’s sustainability. Adegbe encouraged employers to mentor and provide opportunities for fellows, noting that organizations would benefit from reduced hiring costs and a 12-month evaluation period for potential permanent hires.
Mr. Yomi Olufiade, Project Lead for Talent Management Company (TMC) in the North Central Region for NJFP, stated that the programme is placing 23,724 young graduates across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. He noted that fellows receive a monthly stipend of N150,000, fully funded by the UNDP, with no salary obligations for host organizations. Eligible applicants must be Nigerian graduates under 30, who graduated in 2022 or later, possess at least a Second Class Lower degree or Upper Credit HND, and have completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme or obtained an exemption.
In Nasarawa State, Olufiade reported that 423 fellows have been placed, with 60.3 per cent males and 39.7 per cent females. Eighty-six organizations have been engaged, with 64 actively hosting fellows. The programme has invested approximately N344.66 million in stipend payments in the state, though 185 fellows await placement. Host organizations are expected to provide meaningful work experience, mentorship, and a conducive work environment.
The programme also offers digital skills training, entrepreneurship development, and talent management support. An Alumni Talent Hub has been created to allow employers to recruit former fellows who performed well during their placements. Mr. Haruna Sani, Director-General of the Nasarawa State Information Technology and Digital Economy Agency (NASITDEA), lauded the programme’s timely benefits for the state’s youth and pledged continued support for awareness campaigns.
Imam Rabiu-Mabudi, Nasarawa State Focal Person for NJFP, described the initiative as a life-changing opportunity capable of reducing graduate unemployment and encouraged eligible participants to engage with the programme. Beneficiaries Sonia Adams and Zakari Mohammed expressed gratitude to the federal government, European Union, and UNDP, citing the programme’s role in providing valuable work experience and skill development.