FG, EU, UNDP invest $220m in youth jobs
Nigeria will spend 220 million dollars creating employment for graduates through partnerships with the European Union and the United Nations Development Program. Vice President Kashim Shettima launched the second phase of the Jubilee Fellows Program on Wednesday at the presidential complex in Abuja, connecting qualified young people with companies across the agriculture, technology, and manufacturing sectors. The government wants private investors and international donors to fund placements for 100,000 participants over five years through a sustainable basket fund mechanism.
Officials said more than 40,000 Nigerians gained economic access through the program since 2021, when authorities started matching educated workers with employers needing trained staff. The European Union ambassador promised continued support, while the employers’ association agreed to organize job fairs and recruit 20,000 fellows by 2027. UNDP representative Elsie Attafuah noted millions more require structured pathways from classroom learning to workplace productivity. Sterling Bank chief Abubakar Suleiman said Nigerian talent meets international standards but needs practical experience and mentorship opportunities that are currently reserved for foreign workers.
