• NJFP 2.0 targets key sectors, aims for 100,000 beneficiaries
• Over 60% of Nigerians are under 25, job access limited
  

On Wednesday, October 22, the Nigerian government launched the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP 2.0), a $220 million initiative aimed at connecting promising young graduates with internships, mentorships, and jobs. The program focuses on key sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, digital technology, manufacturing, and the creative industry, according to Voice of Nigeria.

Vice President Kashim Shettima Mustapha said the program aims “to bridge the transition gap between learning and earning for thousands of young Nigerians; graduates who have the education, but not always the opportunity.” Funding will come from the NJFP Basket Fund, which pools resources from the government and international partners. The new phase will be implemented in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“Our immediate goal is to raise $220 million, not as charity, but as an investment in the nation’s most valuable asset: our young people,” Mustapha added.

More than 60% of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 25, according to APR News. The World Bank estimates that 5.1% of Nigerians aged 15 to 24 were unemployed in 2024. Elsie Attafuah, UNDP Resident Representative for Nigeria, said many existing training programs fail to provide direct routes into the job market.

Since its launch in 2021, the NJFP has helped more than 13,000 young people develop skills, and it aims to reach 100,000 beneficiaries over five years, according to Ayodele Olawande Wisdom, Minister of Youth Development.

The rollout of NJFP 2.0 comes as the government seeks to secure long-term funding for youth employment initiatives. Authorities have called on the private sector, donors, and the development community to support this sustainable financing mechanism, noting that the move from graduation to employment remains a major structural challenge. The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to combine national planning, strategic financing, and inclusivity to make the most of Nigeria’s demographic potential.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou