Abuja, Nigeria — The federal government unveiled a US$220 million funding package aimed at expanding youth employment through structured placements, entrepreneurship support and skills development. Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced the package as part of the second phase of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP 2.0), describing it as a deliberate effort to turn Nigeria’s demographic dividend into productive employment.
The programme will channel resources into fellow placements across the public and private sectors, mentorship, startup seed funding and sector-specific training — with an initial target to place tens of thousands of graduates in meaningful work each year. Shettima highlighted partnerships with multilateral development partners and the private sector to ensure that placements lead to long-term absorption or viable enterprises after fellowship completion.
Officials say governance mechanisms will be put in place to ensure transparent beneficiary selection, timely disbursement of stipends and monitoring of outcomes. Civil society and youth groups welcomed the announcement but emphasised that success depends on clear timelines, rigorous selection criteria, anti-fraud safeguards and post-placement support that links fellows to employers or markets.
Economists cautioned that while the fund is a necessary intervention, complementary reforms — including improving the business environment, access to credit for micro and small enterprises, and aligning training with market demand — will be required to achieve sustainable reductions in youth unemployment.
